How do you use "Ace in the hole" in a sentence?

Our ace in the hole is the patent we filed last year. She didn't reveal her ace in the hole until the final round of negotiations. His experience in crisis management turned out to be the ace in the hole.

Ace in the hole

Q: What does "Ace in the hole" mean?

A hidden advantage or secret resource kept in reserve. Used to describe a secret weapon, backup plan, or hidden talent that can be revealed at the right moment for maximum impact. In negotiations, competition, or arguments, having an ace in the hole gives you confidence even when things look uncertain.

American Slang Term American ★★★★☆ Common informal

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Significado: A hidden advantage or secret resource kept in reserve.

隐藏的优势或秘密储备的资源。秘密王牌。

Una ventaja oculta o recurso secreto guardado en reserva. Un as en la manga.

隠された切り札。秘密の強み。いざというときのための秘密兵器。

숨겨 둔 비장의 무기. 비밀 강점. 결정적 순간을 위한 비밀 병기.

Used to describe a secret weapon, backup plan, or hidden talent that can be revealed at the right moment for maximum impact. In negotiations, competition, or arguments, having an ace in the hole gives you confidence even when things look uncertain.

用来形容一种可以在恰当时机亮出以取得最大效果的秘密武器、备选方案或隐藏才能。在谈判、竞争或辩论中，手中有一张王牌能让你即使在局面不明朗时也充满信心。

Se usa para describir un arma secreta, un plan de reserva o un talento oculto que se puede revelar en el momento oportuno para lograr el máximo impacto. En negociaciones, competiciones o debates, tener un as en la manga te da confianza incluso cuando las cosas parecen inciertas.

最大の効果を得るために適切なタイミングで明かせる秘密兵器、バックアッププラン、隠れた才能を表す。交渉、競争、議論において、切り札を持っていると、状況が不確実でも自信を持てる。

적절한 순간에 최대의 효과를 발휘할 수 있도록 감춰 둔 비밀 무기, 백업 플랜, 또는 숨겨진 재능을 묘사할 때 사용한다. 협상, 경쟁, 논쟁에서 비장의 카드가 있으면 상황이 불확실해 보여도 자신감을 가질 수 있다.

Ejemplos

Our ace in the hole is the patent we filed last year.
我们的秘密王牌是去年申请的那项专利。
Nuestro as en la manga es la patente que registramos el año pasado.
我々の切り札は去年取得した特許だ。
우리의 비장의 무기는 작년에 출원한 특허야.
She didn't reveal her ace in the hole until the final round of negotiations.
她直到谈判最后一轮才亮出自己的底牌。
Ella no reveló su carta secreta hasta la ronda final de las negociaciones.
彼女は交渉の最終ラウンドまで切り札を見せなかった。
그녀는 협상 마지막 라운드까지 비장의 카드를 보여주지 않았다.
His experience in crisis management turned out to be the ace in the hole.
他在危机管理方面的经验成了关键时刻的杀手锏。
Su experiencia en gestión de crisis resultó ser el as en la manga.
彼の危機管理の経験が切り札になった。
그의 위기 관리 경험이 비장의 무기가 되었다.

Pronunciación

Guía de uso

Contexto: strategy, negotiation, competition

Tono: confident, strategic

✓ Correcto

That's our ace in the hole.
那是我们的秘密王牌。
Ese es nuestro as en la manga.
That's our ace in the hole.（それが我々の切り札だ。）
그게 우리의 비장의 무기야.
He always has an ace in the hole.
他手里总有一张王牌。
Él siempre tiene un as en la manga.
He always has an ace in the hole.（彼はいつも切り札を持っている。）
그는 항상 비장의 카드가 있어.

✗ Incorrecto

Don't reveal your ace in the hole too early — the phrase implies timing matters
不要太早亮出你的王牌——这个说法暗示时机很重要
No reveles tu as en la manga demasiado pronto: la expresión implica que el momento oportuno es clave
切り札を早く見せすぎないこと——この表現はタイミングが重要であることを含意している
비장의 카드를 너무 일찍 공개하지 마 — 이 표현은 타이밍이 중요하다는 뜻을 내포한다

Origen e historia

From poker, specifically stud poker, where an 'ace in the hole' is an ace dealt face-down (hidden from other players). Having a hidden ace gives you a powerful advantage. The phrase entered American English in the early 1900s.

Contexto cultural

Era: 1900s-present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

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