have up one's sleeve

Register · Informal Informal — used in casual, everyday conversation among friends and family. Avoid in formal writing or professional settings. CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to have a secret plan or advantage kept ready for later use

Why this phrase?

From card cheats hiding cards in a sleeve; figuratively means a hidden plan.

Example

“The coach still had a few tricks up his sleeve.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

let the cat out of the bag Informal · CEFR B1

To reveal a secret, usually by mistake.

pull someone's leg Informal · CEFR B1

To tease or joke with someone by telling them something untrue in fun.

save for a rainy day Neutral · CEFR B1

to put money aside for future emergencies

spill the beans Informal · CEFR B1

To reveal a secret, often accidentally.

the early bird catches the worm Neutral · CEFR B1

Those who act promptly have the best chance of success.

behind the scenes Neutral · CEFR B2

happening privately or secretly, not in public view

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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