ace it

Idioms

Accomplish something with success, as in I'm sure he'll ace it when he takes that bar exam. The verb ace originated in tennis with the meaning “to hit an unreturnable serve against an opponent.” The idiom ace it, however, originated as student slang for getting an “A” on an exam or in a course but soon was extended to other successful accomplishments. [Slang; mid-1900s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He said the UK's military resources were stretched and the "defence card" was "not the ace it once was".

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2025

Given his promise as a budding potential ace, it made him one of the most coveted players on this year’s free-agent market.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2025

But she flunked the first semester and was forced to retake it, only to ace it the second time around.

From Scientific American • Aug. 17, 2023

Apparently I have enough talent to help write the exam but not the right skills to ace it.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 13, 2019

"The executioner throws a double ace; it is low!"

From Mysteries of Paris, V3 by Sue, Eugène

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