long suit

noun

1. Cards.
   1. the suit in which the most cards are held in a hand.
   2. (in bridge) a suit in which four or more cards are held in a hand.
2. the quality, activity, endeavor, etc., in which one excels:

   Diligence is his long suit.

long suit

noun

1. 1. the longest suit in a hand of cards
   2. a holding of four or more cards of a suit
2. informal.
   an outstanding advantage, personal quality, or talent

Word History and Origins

Origin of long suit¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Idioms and Phrases

One's strong point or advantage, as in Organizing has never been Nancy's long suit . This expression alludes to whist, bridge, and other card games in which holding numerous cards in a single suit may convey a strong advantage. [c. 1900]

Example Sentences

As regards the length of a suit, a player's long suit is rather more likely to be fewer than five than over five.

From Project Gutenberg

Asking pardon is not me long suit, Williams, but perhaps the time has come for me to play it.

From Project Gutenberg

"The truth is my long suit," returned Simpkins mendaciously.

From Project Gutenberg

Your adversary may have seven tricks in his long suit, and it is hard to discard from a "good all-round hand."

From Project Gutenberg

Save the high cards of your other suits for re-entry and try to establish the small cards of your long suit.

From Project Gutenberg