Would you like to let someone know that they have an abundance of good qualities (or objects), and that their cup is practically running over with good things? The saying 'in spades' can be used to say exactly that, and it's a common saying in most English-speaking countries. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this term.
Meaning
The expression 'in spades' is used to say that something (or someone) has specific things that are usually mentioned in the rest of the expression in abundance.
The saying 'in spades' means that someone has a lot of something or an abundance of something good, with the meaning of that “something” usually defined and either physical or ethereal.
The most common use of the expression is to tell someone that they've got something 'in spades'.
The term is largely metaphorical, and 'in spades' is used to say that someone has a lot of something good.
The term has little relation to other expressions in the English language that might have to do with spades. It is generally accepted by most language experts that this particular expression evolved on its own.
The term 'spades' refers to the suit of spades, which is generally a desirable thing to have when it comes to most card games.
Sometimes saying the opposite of the term (e.g. “not in spades”) can also be considered acceptable use, although this is rarer.
Example Usage
“I told her not to worry too much about her singing at the competition tomorrow. If it's all about talent, then I know she has got it in spades.”
“I don't know much about the different qualities that would make someone ideal marriage material, but if it's about her hair than she's got it in spades.”
“I know your grandfather didn't have a lot when he married your mother, but he had a lot of kindness, and he had it in spades.”
“If I knew you already had so much money in spades, I never would have lent you a hundred dollars to begin with.”
Origin
The first use of the term 'in spades' can be difficult to track down and most online resources are in dispute about exactly when it was first said, although it is easier to find the origin of the term (that is, why people say it).
The term 'in spades' originates from trick-taking card games, most likely the games of whist and contract bridge, where the suit of spades is often the highest-ranking suit in games where there is no indicated trump suit to best it.
The term 'in spades' appears to have originated independently from other common expressions, such as “calling a spade a spade”.
As the card game took off in the United States during the 1930s, the expression 'in spades' became a common way to tell someone that they have good things going for them (or possess good qualities much like the highest card suit).
The term is likely to have become popular again thanks to online bridge in mainstream news, and the sudden influx of users to social media websites like TikTok where the term #inspades can also be used as a tag.
Phrases Similar to In Spades
- Abundance
Phrases Opposite to In Spades
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- [they/she/he] has got it in spades
Ways People May Say In Spades Incorrectly
There are several ways in which the term 'in spades' can be used or understood in the wrong way.
The term almost never literally refers to the card suit of spades even though this is the accepted origin of the term, but instead means that someone has got good qualities or things in abundance.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase In Spades
The correct way to phrase the term 'in spades' is by using it to indicate that someone has got good qualities in abundance.
The term can also be used in the negative form (e.g. “not in spades”) to mean that someone has got the opposite.