ace card

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ace card" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a significant advantage or a key resource that can be utilized to achieve success in a situation. Example: "In negotiations, having the support of a well-known expert can be your ace card."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Bayern's unfulfilled talent could prove Puel's ace card.

The Guardian - Sport

Once there, the young actress began to play her Englishness as an "ace card".

The Guardian

Never known for his poker face, Fleck turned his composure into his ace card the week of the 1955 Open.

The New York Times - Sports

At least one caucus was decided that way, with Hillary's ace card beating Bernie's six at a precinct in Pahrump.

Independent

And the Wertheimers know that they have, in Lagerfeld and Chanel, both a king and an ace card.

Independent

Pelley's ace card is that the European Tour's freehold on a base at Wentworth is a highly lucrative one.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

It has a couple of ace cards in its hand to help: 5miles was created to be mobile-first; it comes with some AI-based vetting features; and it costs absolutely nothing to use.

TechCrunch

The future winners in the wearables space will have two ace cards in their hands: one is a year or more lead-time in using unique or multiple sensor types in the device; the second is the data science know-how to correlate across multiple data streams to mine for richer insights.

TechCrunch

On a campaign, royal and ace cards have no limit and can be used over and over but you must still challenge as before and must have the appropriate number of cards to challenge for a double or triple watchtower.

WikiHow

The other player then has to play the number of cards that correspond to the value of that attack card, which is one card for an ace, two cards for a two, and three cards for a three.

WikiHow

Aces equal 1, cards numbered 2 through10 equal their face values, and Jacks, Queens, and Kings all equal 10.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase works best in competitive contexts such as politics, sports, business and strategic games.

Common error

Avoid the common mistake of saying "ace card card", which is redundant. Furthermore, ensure you do not confuse it with the phrase "wild card" if your intention is to describe a deliberate advantage rather than an unpredictable variable.

Linguistic Context

In grammatical terms, "ace card" functions as a compound noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it typically serves as the direct object of verbs like "play", "hold", or "have", representing a strategic resource within a sentence structure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

To summarize, the phrase "ace card" is a robust and widely accepted idiom used to denote a primary advantage. Ludwig AI shows that it is particularly prevalent in journalism and political analysis. Whether referring to a literal card in a game or a metaphorical strength in a negotiation, it effectively communicates the idea of having a 'winning hand'. It is best used to describe a resource that is strategically held until the most opportune moment to ensure victory.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trump card

Implies a resource that specifically overrides or defeats all other factors.

secret weapon

Suggests a hidden or unexpected advantage that surprises an opponent.

ace in the hole

A classic idiom emphasizing an advantage held in reserve for a critical moment.

hidden advantage

A literal description of a benefit that is not immediately obvious.

clincher

Refers to the final argument or factor that settles a matter decisively.

key asset

A more professional or business-oriented way to describe a primary advantage.

competitive edge

Highlights a superior position over rivals in a specific field.

deciding factor

Focuses on the influence the advantage has on the final outcome.

master stroke

Emphasizes the brilliance or skill behind using a particular advantage.

wild card

Describes an unpredictable factor that could change everything, though not always positive.

FAQs

How do I use "ace card" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a major benefit, for example: "Her years of experience proved to be her "ace card" during the job interview."

What is the difference between "ace card" and "trump card"?

While similar, an "ace card" is a high-value resource, whereas a "trump card" specifically refers to a factor that beats all others regardless of their strength.

Can I use "secret weapon" instead of "ace card"?

Yes, you can use "secret weapon" if you want to emphasize that the advantage was unknown to others until the moment it was used.

Is "ace card" informal?

It is generally considered neutral. While it has origins in gaming, it is frequently used in high-level journalism and business analysis to describe "key advantages".