ace
ace
I
/ˈeıs/ noun , pl ac·es [ count ]
1 : a playing card with one large figure in its center that can be the card with either the highest or lowest value
the ace of spades/diamonds/hearts/clubs
2 : a person who is very skilled at something
a computer ace
the ace of the team's pitching staff [=the best pitcher on the team]
— often used before another noun
an ace mechanic/reporter
3 : a point scored on a serve that an opponent fails to hit in tennis
She won the match by scoring more than 30 aces.
4 US : a score of one on a hole in golf : hole in one
He got/shot/scored an ace on the eighth hole.
an ace in the hole (US) (
◇ If you have an ace in the hole or an ace up your sleeve, you have a powerful and often secret weapon, advantage, etc., that you can use if it is needed.
The mayor's popularity among elderly voters gives him an ace in the hole for the coming election.
hold all the aces
: to have a strong advantage over others in a contest, competition, etc.
As the strike continues into its second week, it appears that the company holds all the aces in its negotiations with the strikers.
within an ace of
informal : very near to (doing something)
They were/came within an ace of winning the championship. [=they almost won the championship]
————————
II
verb , aces, aced, ac·ing [ + obj ]
1 US, informal : to earn a very high grade on (an examination) : to get a grade of A on (an examination)
He aced the test.
She aced her entrance exams.
: to perform very well on (a test or challenge)
He aced his annual physical.
2 : to score an ace against (an opponent in tennis)
He aced his opponent on the last point of the match.
3 US : to score an ace on (a hole in golf)
She aced the 14th hole. [=she had a hole in one on the 14th hole]
