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/Sounds like "teh" (as in "ten") + "NEHR" (as in "net") + "OON" (as in "Uber") + "AHS" (as in "art") + "BAH" (as in "bar") + "hoh" (as in "hope") + "LAH" (as in "lava") + "MAHN" (as in "mark") + "gah" (as in "garden")/

Meaning

To have a secret advantage or hidden resource kept in reserve for the most strategic moment. The person with an ace up their sleeve never shows all their cards at once and always surprises when others thought they had already lost.

Examples

He wasn't showing any nerves because he had an ace up his sleeve.

Keep your ace in reserve for the moment you really need it.

Regional synonyms

A Venezuelan exclamation of surprise or amazement at something impressive, like saying 'Wow!' or 'Incredible!' It comes out spontaneously when something leaves you speechless.