Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

play your ace

idiom

/pleɪ jʊr eɪs/

Definition

To use the best or most effective resource or strategy available in a situation.

Examples

When the competition heats up, you need to play your ace to come out on top.
She decided to play her ace by presenting an innovative solution to the problem during the meeting.

Meaning

The phrase ‘play your ace’ is derived from card games, where an ‘ace’ is typically one of the highest-ranking cards. It implies that you are using your strongest asset at a critical moment to achieve success.