秘密(ひみつ)兵器(へいき)

ひみつへいき
noun
secret weapon
1. secret weapon; hidden asset
A weapon kept hidden from the enemy. Also used figuratively to mean a hidden advantage, trump card, or surprise resource that can turn a situation around.
チームの秘密(ひみつ)兵器(へいき)が登場(とうじょう)した。
The team's secret weapon appeared.
この料理(りょうり)の秘密(ひみつ)兵器(へいき)は特製(とくせい)のソースだ。
The secret weapon of this dish is a special sauce.
監督(かんとく)は決勝(けっしょう)戦(せん)に向(む)けて秘密(ひみつ)兵器(へいき)を温存(おんぞん)していた。
The manager had been saving his secret weapon for the championship game.

Frequently used figuratively to describe a hidden advantage or trump card, especially in sports, cooking, and business contexts. The literal military sense also exists but the figurative use is far more common in everyday language.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 切(き)り札(ふだ): trump card — similar figurative meaning but from card games
  • 奥(おく)の手(て): last resort; hidden trick — implies something saved for the final moment

Related Words

Compare: 切(き)り札(ふだ) (trump card)
general
Added 2026.4.6 4:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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