> as lemmas

1823 Mem. Hist. France Reign of Napoleon III. xi. 334 The latter [army] has every advantage, and every opportunity of making daring attempts, striking grand blows, manœuvring on the flanks of the enemy; it holds all the aces, and has only to play them.

1874 J. H. Carter Log Commodore Rollingpin ii. 190 Letting down his braces, Says, ‘We'll see who holds the aces.’

1894 C. King Initial Experience 111 I think ye hold an ace full, Tonto. I ain't no man to dispute the rights of my ole pardner.

1921 Bakersfield Californian 14 Dec. 10/1 No use to argue with a mob, buddy; they hold aces and I hold trumps.

1945 Life 28 May 102/2 As the prime movers of continental power, Roosevelt and Stalin held the aces.

2011 R. Boswell No Way Home xiii. 107 ‘I can fly low and take us to Belize. It'll cost you another five thousand.’ ‘I'll give you another two, but that's it.’ I answered knowing he held all the aces.