Idioms: Ace - play your ace

Idiom(s) of the day: play your ace

Explanation(s):

Collins Cobuild Dictionary of Idioms, 2004 (CCDI):

If someone plays their ace, they do something clever and unexpected which gives them an advantage over other people.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

to use your best argument, etc. in order to get an advantage in a situation (OALD)

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

Ditto

Translation(s):

CCDI:

Сделать неожиданный для кого-то, но удачный для себя ход; пойти с козырей (козыря). My category: Advantage (преимущество)

Examples:

CCDI:

She went on to say that he was also a very important criminal lawyer who had defended men on heavy charges. And then she played her ace. He also had a number of clients who were involved in the gold business.

With all this meddle, muddle and money wasted, who could be surprised if the union plays the aces?