🧥 Have a trick up your sleeve
Concrete Meaning
To have a secret plan, strategy, or advantage kept in reserve for when it is critically needed.
💬 Context & Examples
Use this in negotiations, competitions, or problem-solving when someone seems out of options but secretly holds a winning card.
- "Even though the negotiations seemed stalled, I knew our lead lawyer still had a trick up her sleeve."
- "Don't count our team out just yet; the coach always has a trick up his sleeve for the final quarter."
🧠 Pattern Challenge
Test Yourself
What profession literally put tricks up their sleeves, originating this metaphor?
Show Answer
Magicians and card cheats physically hid cards, coins, or props inside their long coat sleeves to produce them suddenly at an opportune moment.