ace in the hole

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From stud poker in which there is one unknown card called the "hole card", referring to the optimum "hole card" being an ace.

Pronunciation[edit]

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Noun[edit]

ace in the hole (plural aces in the hole)

  1. (US, idiomatic, informal) Synonym of ace up one's sleeve
    Our ace in the hole left our opponents stupefied; it isn't every day that an NBA star plays street basketball.

Translations[edit]