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  What it means

  Literally “an ace up one’s sleeve.” A secret advantage or plan kept hidden until the critical moment — the same image as the English idiom.

  Vocabulary

  • as — ace (in cards)
  • rękaw — sleeve

  Grammar note

  'W rękawie' uses the locative of 'rękaw' after 'w.' The phrase is typically used with 'mieć': 'mieć asa w rękawie' (to have an ace up one's sleeve).

  Cultural context

  The image comes from card cheats who hid cards in their sleeves. Now used neutrally for any hidden resource or surprise move.

  Beginner

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