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Synonyms

in reserve

Idioms  

  1. Kept back, set aside, or saved. For example, We have a fair amount of cash in reserve, or The coach decided to keep the best player in reserve until the last quarter. [Late 1600s]

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.

The Springboks possess considerable depth with Kolisi still captaining a team including Jasper Wiese, Damian de Allende, Damian Willemse and new fly-half star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, with Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi in reserve.

From BBC

With qualification still to be earned for Euro 2028, two spots held in reserve for host countries gives the four home nations a fallback option if required.

From BBC

Scott Boland is primed for a place in the XI, with uncapped pair Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett in reserve.

From BBC

World Liberty holds those funds in reserve to maintain the coins’ 1-for-1 tie to the dollar, unless the USD1 tokens are swapped back into real-world cash.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I knew it was really good, but the rest of the song wasn't right, so I kept it in reserve until the right time."

From BBC

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.