Word: Long Suit
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: The term "long suit" has two main meanings. In general use, it refers to a special strength or skill that someone possesses. In card games, particularly in bridge, it refers to a suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades) that has the most cards in a player's hand.
Usage Instructions:
General Use: You can use "long suit" to talk about someone's talents or strengths. For example, if someone is very good at cooking, you might say that cooking is their long suit.
Card Games: When playing card games like bridge, you might say, "He has a long suit in spades," meaning he has many spades cards.
Examples:
General Use: "Her long suit is mathematics; she solves problems faster than anyone in the class."
Card Games: "In this round, my long suit is hearts, so I will focus on playing those cards."
Advanced Usage:
In a more advanced context, "long suit" can be used metaphorically to discuss strengths in a professional or personal context, such as "His long suit in negotiation helped the company secure a better deal."
Word Variants:
Different Meanings:
Talents or Strengths: Refers to someone’s strong points or special skills.
Card Games: Refers to the suit with the highest number of cards in a player's hand.
Synonyms:
For talents: strength, forte, skill, specialty, asset.
For card games: dominant suit, favored suit.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
While "long suit" itself is not commonly used in idioms or phrasal verbs, you might hear phrases like "play to your strengths" or "know your strengths," which convey a similar idea of recognizing and utilizing one's long suit.
Summary:
"Long suit" is a versatile term that can describe someone's special skills or a strategic advantage in card games.