have an ace up one’s sleeve

have an ace up (one's) sleeve

To have a secret plan, idea, or advantage that can be utilized if and when it is required. A reference to cheating at a card game by hiding a favorable card up one's sleeve. I have an ace up my sleeve for this race—my stamina. The other runners don't stand a chance! I hear that the defense attorney has an ace up her sleeve—a new eye-witness.See also: ace, have, sleeve, up

have an ace up one’s sleeve

tv. to have something useful in reserve; to have a special trick available. (Have got can replace have.) I still have an ace up my sleeve that you don’t know about. See also: ace, have, sleeve, up