Having something in spades is an English expression that is commonly used to describe a situation where someone possesses a particular quality or characteristic to an exceptional degree. The phrase originated from the card game of spades, where spades are the highest-ranking suit. When someone has something in spades, it means they have an abundance of it, surpassing others.
Having it in spades can refer to various qualities or attributes, such as talent, skill, intelligence, confidence, charisma, or even negative traits like arrogance or stubbornness. The phrase is often used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on the subject being discussed.
For example, if someone has creativity in spades, it means they possess an exceptional level of creativity. They have an abundance of innovative ideas and can effortlessly come up with unique and original concepts. On the other hand, if someone has arrogance in spades, it means they are excessively arrogant, displaying a high level of self-importance and superiority.
Overall, when someone has it in spades, it means they possess a particular quality or characteristic in an outstanding and superior manner. It emphasizes the exceptional and abundant nature of that attribute, making it a prominent feature of their personality or abilities.
Understanding the meaning of “having it in spades”
The phrase “having it in spades” is an idiomatic expression that originated from the game of bridge. In bridge, spades are the highest-ranking suit and having a strong hand in this suit significantly improves a player’s chances of winning. Over time, the phrase “having it in spades” has evolved to be used colloquially to describe someone having an abundance or an exceptional amount of a particular quality or attribute.
Origin of the phrase
The origin of the expression “having it in spades” can be traced back to the card game bridge, which was popularized in the early 20th century. In bridge, spades are the most valuable suit, and having many spades in your hand can greatly enhance your chances of winning a hand or a game. From this card game context, the phrase began to be used metaphorically to describe someone possessing an ample amount of a desired quality or characteristic.
Meaning of the phrase
When someone is said to “have it in spades,” it means that they possess a particular quality or attribute to an exceptional degree. It suggests that the person not only has a sufficient amount of the desired quality but also exceeds expectations or possesses it in great abundance. Essentially, it means that the person has an extraordinary amount of whatever is being referred to.
For example, if someone is described as having intelligence in spades, it means that they possess a high level of intelligence or are exceptionally smart. Similarly, if someone has talent in spades, it means that they have an exceptional amount of talent in a particular area.
Usage of the phrase
The phrase “having it in spades” is often used when emphasizing or praising someone’s exceptional qualities or abilities. It can be used in various contexts, such as discussing someone’s skills, talents, intelligence, creativity, beauty, or any other desirable quality.
Examples:
- She may not have much experience, but she has determination in spades.
- John is not just a good musician, he has musicality in spades.
- Even at such a young age, she has confidence in spades.
- Her dedication to her craft is evident – she has patience in spades.
Overall, the phrase “having it in spades” is a colourful way to describe someone’s exceptional possession of a particular quality or attribute. It adds emphasis and indicates that the person possesses an abundance or an extraordinary amount of the praised quality.
What does “having it in spades” mean?
Having it in spades is an idiomatic expression that originated from the card game of Bridge. In the game, the suit of spades is considered the highest-ranking suit, and if you have a lot of spades in your hand, it increases your chances of winning. Therefore, when someone says that you have something “in spades,” it means that you possess a particular quality or attribute to an exceptional degree.
For example, if someone is described as having talent in spades, it means that they have an abundance of talent. Similarly, if someone has courage in spades, it means that they demonstrate an extraordinary amount of courage.
Origin
The term “in spades” dates back to the early 1920s and has its roots in the card game of Bridge. In Bridge, spades is the highest-ranking suit, and players often use the term to refer to having a large number of spades in their hand. Over time, the expression was adopted into everyday language to describe an abundance or an extreme amount of something.
Usage
The expression “having it in spades” is commonly used in informal conversation and writing. It is often used to emphasize someone’s possession of a particular quality, skill, or characteristic. It is a way of saying that someone has a significant amount of something, often to the point of exceeding expectations.
It is important to note that the phrase is usually used in a positive sense. For example, you might say that someone has intelligence in spades, meaning they are exceptionally intelligent. However, it can also be used to describe negative attributes, such as saying someone has laziness in spades, indicating they are extremely lazy.
In summary, “having it in spades” means possessing a particular quality or attribute to an exceptional degree. It is an idiomatic expression that originated from the card game of Bridge and has since been adopted into everyday language to describe an abundance or extreme amount of something.
The origin of the phrase
The phrase “to have it in spades” is an idiomatic expression that originated from the game of bridge. In bridge, spades is one of the four suits, and it is considered the strongest suit. The phrase is used to convey the idea that someone possesses a quality or attribute to an exceptional degree.
The origin of the phrase can be traced back to the late 19th century, when the game of bridge was becoming popular in the United States. Bridge players would use the term “in spades” to describe a particularly strong hand that had a high number of spade cards. This use of the term eventually made its way into everyday language, and the phrase “to have it in spades” became a common expression to describe someone who excelled in a certain area.
The phrase gained further popularity in the early 20th century, particularly in African American communities. Jazz musicians, in particular, would use the phrase to describe someone who had exceptional talent or skill. The phrase was often used in a musical context, referring to a musician who had a remarkable ability to play their instrument.
Usage Example:
John is an amazing basketball player. He has it in spades when it comes to shooting and dribbling. He always manages to score the most points in every game.
Overall, the phrase “to have it in spades” is a versatile expression that can be used to describe someone who possesses a quality or skill in an exceptional manner. Its origin in the game of bridge adds a unique layer to its meaning and history.
Common Usage of the Expression
The expression “to have it in spades” is commonly used in English conversation and writing to convey the idea that someone has a particular quality or attribute to a great degree. It originated from the game of bridge, where “spades” is one of the four suits, and having a strong hand in spades is highly desirable.
This expression is often used to describe someone who has a lot of a specific trait or characteristic. For example, if someone is described as having intelligence in spades, it means that they are extremely intelligent. Similarly, if someone has talent in spades, it means they possess a great deal of talent in a specific area.
It is worth noting that the expression is often used in a positive context to praise someone’s exceptional strengths. For instance, one might say, “She has creativity in spades” to acknowledge her remarkable creative abilities.
In addition to describing personal qualities, “to have it in spades” can also refer to possessing a large quantity of something. For example, if someone has money in spades, it means they are wealthy. Likewise, if someone has opportunities in spades, it means they have a plethora of opportunities available to them.
Overall, the expression “to have it in spades” is a versatile phrase that conveys the idea of having a particular quality or attribute in abundance. It is a commonly used and widely understood expression in English-speaking communities.
Examples of “having it in spades”
When someone has something “in spades,” it means they possess a large amount or a high degree of that particular quality or trait. Here are a few examples of how this expression can be used:
1. Talent: Beyoncé is not only a great singer, but she also has dance skills in spades. Her performances are always outstanding.
2. Intelligence: Alex has always been naturally smart, but his sister has intelligence in spades. She effortlessly excels in every subject.
3. Kindness: Emily has a heart of gold. She always goes out of her way to help others and shows kindness in spades.
4. Courage: Despite his young age, Jake displayed courage in spades when he spoke out against injustice at his school.
5. Determination: Sarah never gives up easily. She has determination in spades and won’t stop until she achieves her goals.
6. Humor: Jack has a natural ability to make people laugh. His sense of humor is always on point, and he has comedic timing in spades.
7. Creativity: Mary’s artwork is simply breathtaking. She has creativity in spades and can transform even the simplest object into a masterpiece.
These examples showcase how someone can possess a particular quality or trait to an exceptional degree, often surpassing others in that aspect of their personality. “Having it in spades” signifies an abundance or excellence in a certain area.
