The saying “have it in spades” is a popular idiom in the English language, often used to describe someone or something that possesses a particular quality or attribute to an exceptional degree. The origins of this expression can be traced back to the card game of spades, which is a trick-taking game played with a standard deck of 52 cards.
In the game of spades, the highest-ranking suit is spades, and players bid on the number of tricks they believe they can win. If a player is confident in their abilities and believes they can win many tricks, they may declare that they “have it in spades.” This is a declaration of confidence and a belief in one’s own skills.
Over time, this phrase has been adopted into everyday language to describe someone who possesses a quality or attribute in abundance. For example, if someone is extremely intelligent, you may say that they “have intelligence in spades.” Similarly, if someone is exceptionally kind and generous, you may say that they “have kindness in spades.”
The saying “have it in spades” is a colourful and expressive way to emphasize the abundance or excellence of a particular quality or attribute. It adds a touch of flair to the English language and allows speakers to convey their thoughts and opinions in a concise and memorable manner.
What does the saying “have it in spades” mean?
The saying “have it in spades” is an idiomatic expression that means someone possesses a particular quality or characteristic to a great degree. The phrase originated from the card game of bridge, where spades are the highest-ranking suit. In this context, having something “in spades” signifies having it in abundance or having it to the fullest extent.
When someone has a quality or attribute “in spades,” it implies that they possess it in a remarkable or exceptional manner. For example, if someone is said to have talent in spades, it means they have an extraordinary amount of talent.
Origin:
The phrase “have it in spades” is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century, although its exact origins are uncertain. The term “in spades” has its roots in the game of bridge, where spades are the most powerful suit. In bridge, players bid on the number of tricks they believe they can win with a certain suit as the trump suit. If they are confident they can win all the tricks, they might bid with the term “in spades,” emphasizing their confidence in their hand.
Usage:
The expression “have it in spades” is often used in informal contexts to describe someone who possesses a particular quality to an exceptional degree. It can be used both positively and negatively. Here are a few examples:
– John has charisma in spades. He can captivate an entire room with his presence.
– Sarah may lack experience, but she makes up for it in intelligence in spades.
– The director’s arrogance is something he has in spades, which often creates difficulties in the workplace.
Overall, “have it in spades” is a colorful and expressive way to convey that someone has a certain quality or characteristic in abundance. It adds emphasis and highlights the extraordinary nature of the attribute being described.
Origin of the phrase
The phrase “have it in spades” has its origins in the game of bridge. In bridge, spades are one of the four suits, and they are considered the highest-ranking suit. When a player has a strong hand with many spades, they have a significant advantage over their opponents.
Over time, the phrase “have it in spades” has come to mean having an abundance or an excess of something. It is often used to emphasize that someone has a particular quality or characteristic to a great extent. For example, if someone is described as having talent in spades, it means they have an exceptional amount of talent.
The phrase has extended beyond the context of cards and is now used more broadly in everyday language. It is particularly common in informal speech and writing, and it adds emphasis and flair to a statement or description.
Overall, the phrase “have it in spades” originates from the game of bridge and has evolved to convey a sense of abundance or excellence in a particular quality. Its continued usage in modern language reflects its versatility and popularity as a colorful expression.
Meaning of the phrase
The phrase “have it in spades” means to possess or have a lot of something, often referring to an abundance or excess. The term “spades” here is used metaphorically to represent a high quantity or quality of something.
The origin of this phrase can be traced back to the card game of Bridge, where “spades” is the highest-ranking suit. In this game, if a player has a strong hand with many spades, they are likely to win multiple tricks and have a higher chance of winning the game. Therefore, having something “in spades” implies having an overwhelming amount or a superior level of it.
This phrase is commonly used in informal conversations to emphasize the extent or intensity of something. For example, if someone says they have talent in spades, it means they have an exceptional amount of talent. Similarly, if someone says they have luck in spades, it means they are extremely lucky.
The phrase “have it in spades” can be interchangeable with other expressions such as “have it in abundance” or “have it in large quantities.” It is a colorful way of highlighting the magnitude or proficiency of possessing something.
Usage in everyday language
The saying “have it in spades” is commonly used in everyday language to express an abundance or an extreme degree of something. It is often used to emphasize the presence of a particular quality or characteristic. This phrase is derived from the card game of spades, where having multiple spades in one’s hand is considered a strong advantage.
When someone says that they have something “in spades,” it means that they have it in large quantities or to a great extent. For example, if someone is described as having talent in spades, it means that they possess an exceptional amount of talent. Similarly, if someone has luck in spades, it means that they have an extraordinary amount of good luck.
The phrase can be used in both positive and negative contexts. For instance, if someone says that they have problems in spades, it means that they have a significant number of problems. On the other hand, if someone has happiness in spades, it means that they are experiencing a great deal of joy and contentment.
This expression is frequently used in informal conversation and in written communication. It adds emphasis to the degree or quantity of something and can convey a sense of exaggeration or intensity. For example, someone might say, “He has confidence in spades,” to emphasize the person’s high level of self-assurance.
Examples:
1. She has beauty in spades.
2. They have enthusiasm in spades.
3. We have challenges in spades.
This phrase is well-known and widely understood among English speakers, making it a versatile expression for various situations. It is important to note that its usage should be appropriate to the context and not overly exaggerated.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Have it in spades | To possess something in abundance or to an extreme degree |
Similar phrases and sayings
In addition to the saying “have it in spades,” there are several similar phrases and sayings that convey a similar meaning or sentiment. Here are a few examples:
1. Have it in abundance
This phrase means to have a large quantity or an excess of something. It is often used to describe someone who has a plentiful supply of a particular quality or characteristic. For example, if someone is known for their generosity, you might say they “have it in abundance.”
2. Have it in droves
This saying means to have something in large numbers or quantities. It is often used to describe a situation where a group of people or things arrive or appear in a great number. For example, if a new restaurant opens and immediately attracts a large crowd of customers, you might say they “have it in droves.”
Other similar phrases include “have it in heaps,” “have it by the bucketload,” and “have it in spadefuls.” These phrases all communicate the idea of having an ample or abundant supply of something.
| Saying | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Have it in abundance | To have a large quantity or excess of something |
| Have it in droves | To have something in large numbers or quantities |
| Have it in heaps | To have an ample or abundant supply of something |
| Have it by the bucketload | To have a plentiful or excessive amount of something |
| Have it in spadefuls | To have a large or generous amount of something |
These phrases and sayings are used to emphasize the abundance or plentiful nature of something and can be used to describe a wide range of qualities or characteristics. They all convey a similar meaning to the saying “have it in spades,” which implies a plentiful or excessive amount of something.
