special sauce
noun
: secret sauce
… thinly sliced lamb served with tomato, onion and special sauce on warm pita bread … 
New Times
New TimesThe special sauce is their software that enables the computers to tell whether a call has reached a live person or an answering device … Tiernan Ray
Tiernan Ray
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web In a June 25 video, Shaw shared the ingredients behind her special sauce: honey, garlic, sunflower seed oil, chili and dragon fruit for the bright color. Brooklyn White, Essence, 8 Sep. 2022 That space-age mid-century vibe extends to the classic menu of juicy, Angus beef patties and their no-fuss toppings of lettuce, tomatoes and special sauce and hand-cut fries. Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Aug. 2022 The Smyth version comes with bacon onion jam, American cheese, special sauce, onion rings and fries. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2022 Impossible patty, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, Jerrell’s special sauce, plus vegan bacon and jalapeños). Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 4 June 2022 Easily one of the city’s best, this version with a beef patty, American cheese, special sauce, and pickles is everything a burger should be: straightforward and satisfying. Katie Chang, Forbes, 27 May 2022 Slicing across cultures is The Beat’s special sauce. Jacqueline Schneider, Forbes, 3 June 2022 Bush's music has been the special sauce for many soundtracks over the decades, often subverting what's on screen or taking on new meanings. Nojan Aminosharei, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 June 2022 That relaxed air hid the duo’s special sauce: absolute mastery. Sarah L. Kaufman, Washington Post, 22 May 2022 See More
Brooklyn White, Essence, 8 Sep. 2022 That space-age mid-century vibe extends to the classic menu of juicy, Angus beef patties and their no-fuss toppings of lettuce, tomatoes and special sauce and hand-cut fries. Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Aug. 2022 The Smyth version comes with bacon onion jam, American cheese, special sauce, onion rings and fries. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2022 Impossible patty, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, Jerrell’s special sauce, plus vegan bacon and jalapeños). Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 4 June 2022 Easily one of the city’s best, this version with a beef patty, American cheese, special sauce, and pickles is everything a burger should be: straightforward and satisfying. Katie Chang, Forbes, 27 May 2022 Slicing across cultures is The Beat’s special sauce. Jacqueline Schneider, Forbes, 3 June 2022 Bush's music has been the special sauce for many soundtracks over the decades, often subverting what's on screen or taking on new meanings. Nojan Aminosharei, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 June 2022 That relaxed air hid the duo’s special sauce: absolute mastery. Sarah L. Kaufman, Washington Post, 22 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1848, in the meaning defined above