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]

Example Sentences

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in spades

Ollie Chessum, brought in for his heft, delivered in spades, scoring two tries, laying on a deft pass for Alex Coles' score and clanging about in close combat.

From BBC ● Mar. 14, 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

That’s something Disney has in spades, as it owns powerhouse franchises including Star Wars, the Pixar animated films, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

From Barron's ● Dec. 24, 2025

Martina had those traits in spades — as well as the diplomatic skills to negotiate a peace between feuding clubs that had brought competition in the island’s local league to a halt.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 9, 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

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

in spades

Example Sentences

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