Meaning of in one's back pocket | Babel Free

Definitions

Ready if needed, in reserve, prepared, available for use whenever it might be advantageous.

idiomatic

Examples

“There’s tremendous opportunities at The Bay in order to modify the offering in order to be attractive to a larger segment to the population. […] Having the Lord & Taylor banner in their back pocket, they’ve got an extra option there.”

“Spitzer thinks it's an outrage that the same bankers who brought down the world economy are still firmly in place, bonuses in hand, a government guarantee in their back pocket.”

“I didn’t mention my son’s remark to my parents because it seemed emotionally manipulative, but I have it in my back pocket just in case.”

“[S]he bosses around all the blokes in the European Union; has won three elections; and even has a physics degree in her back pocket.”

CEFR level