Where it Began: Cards and High Stakes

It all starts with the card game Bridge, where spades are considered the highest-ranking suit. When you had spades, you had power — more than enough to win the hand. Over time, this idea of having something "in spades" took on a new meaning: if you had spades, you had plenty, maybe even an overwhelming amount of something.

From Cards to Conversation

By the 20th century, people started using "in spades" outside of the card table to describe anything abundant or excessive. Got charisma? You've got it in spades. Is your garden overflowing with tomatoes? You're growing them in spades!

A Phrase for the Bold

The phrase became popular in everyday conversation, especially to emphasize that something was happening in large quantities or with great intensity. It’s a way to say something has been taken to the next level. Whether you're praising someone’s talent or describing a huge problem, using "in spades" suggests there's no shortage of whatever you're talking about.