in spades
Definition
Adverb * To a very great degree; in abundance; emphatically. Used to emphasize that a quality, characteristic, or action is present in a very large or extreme measure.
Usage
The phrase "in spades" is an idiomatic expression used for strong emphasis. It intensifies the verb or adjective it modifies, indicating that something is not just true, but true to an exceptional or undeniable extent. It often carries a connotation of something being provided or occurring in generous or overwhelming amounts.
Examples
- She has talent, but her sister has talent in spades.
- The project was difficult, but it taught me patience in spades.
- He got revenge for the prank, and he got it in spades.
- The new policy has failed, and it has failed in spades.
Advanced Usage
- The phrase originates from the card game bridge, where "spades" is the highest-ranking suit. To have something "in spades" means to have a winning hand, thus having it in the greatest possible measure.
- It can be used in both positive and negative contexts to amplify the degree of a quality (e.g., , ).
Variants and Related Words
- In abundance: (phrase) In large quantities.
- In full measure: (phrase) To the complete extent.
Synonyms
- Decidedly
- Definitely
- Emphatically
- Beyond doubt
- Without question
- By all odds
- In abundance
- To the nth degree
Related Idioms
- To have something in spades: To possess a quality or thing to a very high degree.
- She might be smart, but he has intelligence in spades.
Adverb
-
without question and beyond doubt
-
it was decidedly too expensive
-
she told him off in spades
-
by all odds they should win
-
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