Trump card: meaning, definitions and examples

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trump card

 

[ trʌmp kɑːd ]

Context #1

playing games

A valuable resource that may be kept in reserve until needed, especially a surprise or secret weapon.

Synonyms

ace, secret weapon, wild card

Examples of usage

  • He was saving his trump card for the final round of the tournament.
  • She played her trump card by revealing new evidence at the trial.
Context #2

politics

A card in a suit that outranks all other cards when the suit is led.

Synonyms

trump

Examples of usage

  • He played his trump card when he announced his endorsement from a popular politician.

Translations

Translations of the word "trump card" in other languages:

🇵🇹 carta trunfo

🇮🇳 ट्रम्प कार्ड

🇩🇪 Trumpfkarte

🇮🇩 kartu truf

🇺🇦 козирна карта

🇵🇱 karta atutowa

🇯🇵 切り札 (きりふだ)

🇫🇷 carte maîtresse

🇪🇸 carta de triunfo

🇹🇷 koz kartı

🇰🇷 비장의 카드

🇸🇦 بطاقة رابحة

🇨🇿 trumfová karta

🇸🇰 trumfová karta

🇨🇳 王牌 (wángpái)

🇸🇮 adutna karta

🇮🇸 trumfkort

🇰🇿 козыр карта

🇬🇪 კოზირი

🇦🇿 kozır kartı

🇲🇽 carta de triunfo

Word origin

The term 'trump card' originated from the card game of whist in the 16th century, where a 'trump' was a playing card that outranked all others. The use of 'trump card' has since evolved to refer to any powerful or decisive resource that can be used to gain an advantage.