He has full facts ______ but is deliberately hiding them.

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is (4):
The phrase "to have something under one's sleeve" or "to have an ace up one's sleeve" is a common idiom in English. It means to have a secret plan, advantage, or piece of information that is kept hidden until it is needed. In this sentence, the context "but is deliberately hiding them" strongly indicates that the person possesses information that they are intentionally not revealing. Therefore, "under his sleeves" perfectly fits the idiomatic meaning of possessing hidden facts or knowledge. This idiom draws its origin from card games, where a player might literally hide an "ace" or a winning card "up their sleeve" to gain an unfair advantage. Over time, it has evolved to mean having any concealed advantage or information.

The incorrect option is (1) in his sleeves: This phrase is not a recognized idiom in English to denote having secret information or hidden facts. While "in" suggests containment, it lacks the idiomatic force and common usage to convey the intended meaning of deliberate concealment.

The incorrect option is (2) upon his sleeves: This prepositional phrase does not form a standard idiom in English for possessing hidden information. "Upon" generally indicates a position on top of something, which does not align with the concept of secrecy or concealment implied by the sentence.

The incorrect option is (3) up his sleeves: While "up his sleeve" is part of the idiom "an ace up one's sleeve," used here as "up his sleeves" it is less common and somewhat alters the established idiom, making it a less precise fit for the general possession of "full facts" rather than a specific, single advantage. However, "under his sleeves" is the more universally accepted and grammatically sound prepositional usage in this context, aligning with the idea of deeply concealed information.