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.
チームの秘密兵器が登場した。
The team's secret weapon appeared.
この料理の秘密兵器は特製のソースだ。
The secret weapon of this dish is a special sauce.
監督は決勝戦に向けて秘密兵器を温存していた。
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:
- 秘密兵器を投入する: to deploy a secret weapon
- 秘密兵器を温存する: to hold back a secret weapon
- チームの秘密兵器: the team's secret weapon
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 切り札: trump card — similar figurative meaning but from card games
- 奥の手: last resort; hidden trick — implies something saved for the final moment