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

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

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

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 13, 2025

They were too much for him—too literary and intellectual, too clever in spades.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

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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