Hello ,
Please can you tell me what is the meaning of ( their ace-in-the-hole is useless now ) ??
Thanks a lot
Correct my question if there is grammatical errors.
Best wishes ,
Mohammad
Hi Mohammadata,
Nice to see you. I think your question would have been grammatically correct if you had put “is” at the end of the question.
Can you tell me what the meaning of “their ace-in-the-hole is useless now” is?
As for the meaning of “ace-in-the-hole”, I have checked it in my dictionary and it says “ace in the hole” means a secret advantage such as a piece of information or a skill. So I assume that the sentence mean they now cannot make use of their advantage any more. For example, I rely on my older sister for my homework all the time because she is an excellent student. However, when its come to English exercises, I cannot ask her help because she is not good at it. And now, I may say “My ice-in-the-hole is useless now”. It is just my thought. 
Hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Anh
Hi both,
Mohammadata’s question was correct as he wrote it.
Danganh’s version was also correct, (it’s an alternative possible wording). Anh’s explanation is correct too.
Hello Beeesneees and Danganh
Thanks a lot for your helps. But can you give me another example to understand it clearly ?
Also , Considering my question is correct. Does the correction of Danganh for my question is right too ??
Correct my last contribution grammars if there are errors.
Thanks to all
Mohammad
Thanks a lot for your help, but can you give me another example so that I can understand it clearly?
An ace in the hole is something other people are not aware of that can be used to your advantage when the time is right.
A hidden advantage or resource kept in reserve until needed:
The prosecutor had an ace in the hole: an eyewitness.
The general warned his enemies not to tempt him to use his ace in the hole, or they’d get a nasty surprise.
It can also mean a hidden strength or talent:
Sam’s ace in the hole is honesty, which his clients soon discover.
Also, considering my question is correct, is Danganh’s correction of my question right too?
Yes. It’s an alternative.
I think only the sentence from Danganh is correct.
In Mohammadata’s sentence :
“Please can you tell me what is the meaning of ( their ace-in-the-hole is useless now ) ?? ”.
There are two questions in one sentence ( with two question marks which I consider as a typo ).
Is this a double question situation ?
Regards,
Nick
Hi Mr. Nick,
I mean no offense but I wonder whether or not you are a Vietnamese person. I do not understand why but your face gives me a very familiar impression.
Please forgive me if I said something wrong.
Kind regards,
Dang Anh
[i]Sorry Danganh, I am not a Vietnamese and have never been to Vietnam before although I wish I could visit your beautiful country one day. Maybe all Asian people look like similar.
I was born and educated in Hong Kong and have settled in Canada now.
Actually, you are not the first one to have such feeling. I also do not understand why a lot of people said they were familiar with my face when they first met me here.
By the way, there are really many Vietnamese migrated to Toronto.
Happy lunar new year of rabbit ! Is it a year of cat in Vietnam ?
Best wishes
Nick[/i]
Hi Nick,
So you are from Hong Kong and you have not come into contact with Vietnam. My Goodness! I was a bit surprised because it is just that you look so familiar to me. Maybe you are right. Almost all of Asian people look quite alike. Possession of “familiar face” may be, I think, one of your advantages, which makes it easier for other people to talk to you.
Yes, here in Vietnam, we are going to celebrate the Lunar New Year of cat. You seem to know a lot about Vietnamese stuff. Do you have any Vietnamese friends in Toronto?
Anyway, I am sorry for being mistaken about your nationality. Wish you a very happy Lunar New Year too. I believe that any Asian person who lives abroad will always direct towards their homeland, especially in traditional holidays and festivals.
Kind regards, Dang Anh