in spades

Idioms

Considerably, in the extreme; also, without restraint. For example, They were having money problems, in spades, or Jan told him what he really thought of him, in spades. This expression alludes to spades as the highest-ranking suit in various card games, such as bridge, and transfers “highest” to other extremes. [Colloquial; 1920s]

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in spades

On that Mr. Anderson supplies stories in spades.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

The most electable progressives are instead happy warriors, a quality Ocasio-Cortez and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have in spades.

From Salon ● Aug. 13, 2026

Owing to a potential 200% return profile, that can come in spades if the call is right.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 9, 2026

The 2026 Six Nations delivered attacking rugby in spades, with 111 tries the most scored in the championship since Italy were admitted.

From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2026

I have no business improving others, much less buffing up Lelia, who has it over me in spades.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

in spades

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