Английский словарь американских идиом - card up one's sleeve

{n. phr.}, {informal} Another help, plan, or argument kept back and produced if needed; another way to do something. * /John knew his mother would lend him money if necessary, but he kept that card up his sleeve./ * /Bill always has a card up his sleeve, so when his first plan failed he tried another./ Compare: ACE IN THE HOLE(2). CARD See: CREDIT CARD, FLASH CARD, HOUSE OF CARDS, IN THE CARDS or ON THE CARDS, LAY ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE, PLAY ONE'S CARDS RIGHT, PUT ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE, STACK THE CARDS, TRUMP CARD.