secret weapon

secret weapon

A clandestine item or mode of attack unknown to the enemy. The term came into wide use during World War II, when it was rumored that Hitler was going to launch a powerful secret weapon against Great Britain. Subsequently the term was applied to pilotless planes, robot bombs, rockets, and nuclear bombs. Thereafter it entered the civilian vocabulary, where it is used in sports (“Bill’s second serve, stronger than the first, is his secret weapon”) and numerous other activities. Edith Simon had it in The Past Masters (1953): “See the candid camera at work, that misnamed secret weapon.”
See also: secret, weapon
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • be on the offensive
  • offensive
  • mode
  • à la mode
  • item
  • be an item
  • since Hitler was a corporal
  • reputed
  • reputed to
References in classic literature
He saw in it the silent, secret weapon with which to revenge himself on the world.
The Strength of the Strong
SECRET WEAPON"We have a secret weapon which we shall use to dislodge Mr Sossion," the Kirinyaga Knut Branch Assistant Executive Secretary Patrick Kanaiyu stated.The officials reminded the Knut boss that they have confidence in TSC and he should therefore stop meddling in its operations.
Stop meddling in TSC affairs, Knut leaders tell Sossion
An amazing mum raised thousands for cancer charities with her 'secret weapon' serum.
The amazing mum who raised thousands for cancer charities with 'secret weapon'; Kate McIver passed away last week, leaving her family bereft
Such is the burden of the newly-discovered secret weapon. Blunts, a little nail polish and an absurd affection for riding the rails in super-precarious positions are what might first catch your attention with Yung Ty, but pull up a bongo and you'll realize this is a sensitive skater unafraid to share a story, a joke and possibly even catch some feelings along the way.
Tyson Peterson
In advertising a secret weapon that keeps you going is not enough.
MY SECRET WORK WEAPON Our business
in "The CEO's Secret Weapon: How Great Leaders and Their Assistants Maximize Productivity and Effectiveness" author Jan Jones (founder and president of Jan Jones Worldwide, a bespoke speakers bureau) draws upon her many years of experience and expertise as an executive assistant to answer that question in the affirmative.
The CEO's Secret Weapon
In the introduction to World War II in Secret: The Hidden Conflict--1939 to 1945, author Gavin Mortimer uses the tale of the Trojan horse as an early example of a secret weapon that had a profound effect on the outcome of a war.
World War II in Secret: The Hidden Conflict--1939 to 1945
But, I was confident as I had my secret weapon, my 'Bahrain angel'.
Morag from Mananma
"He does the style really well, hes my secret weapon right now, hes my secret weapon right now.
Roach has a secret weapon sparring partner for Pacquiao
" Eilidh says she hopes another secret weapon in her Games campaign will be" Eilidh says she hopes another secret weapon in her Games campaign will be the Hampden roar.
BORN TO RRRRRUN; EILIDH SETS HER SIGHTS ON COMMONWEALTH GOLD WITH HELP OF ROTTWEILER TRAINING PARTNER BEN
Hitler's "secret weapon" hit a house in Southampton.
On this day
But she will be the party's secret weapon next year and has already been giving speeches at Labour events for major donors and supporters.
MRS ED LABOUR SECRET WEAPON; Poll role for Justine
"In 1945 Stalin began to build a buffet zone in Eastern Europe" - A university student's poor spelling suggests Stalin used sausage rolls as a secret weapon.
They say
Hollywood superstar Will Ferrell has revealed his secret weapon ahead of this weekend's charity Soccer Aid game.
Anchorman's Will Ferrell to win Soccer Aid with big foot