in spades

Idioms  

1. 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]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in spades

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon celebrated the signing in April of the free trade deal with the world's most populous nation, touting an export boom that would deliver jobs and investment in spades.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

Life is about showing up for others, and you have done that in spades, but it’s also about enjoying what the world has to offer.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 10, 2026

In a letter to MPs ahead of the budget, he said: "All we need is a fair chance and this industry will pay the great British people back in spades, as we have always done."

From BBC ● Nov. 25, 2025

The Dodgers and their top-ranked farm system have that in spades.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 13, 2025

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

Related Words

• clearly
• determinedly
• distinctly
• downright
• positively
• really
• terribly
• unmistakably