play one's trump card

play one's trump card
play one's trump card
1. Lit. [in certain card games] to play a card that, according to the rules of the game, outranks certain other cards and is thus able to take any card of another suit. •

Bob played his trump card and ended the game as the winner.

2. Fig. to use a special trick; to use one's most powerful or effective strategy or device. •

I won't play my trump card until I have tried everything else.

I thought that the whole situation was hopeless until Mary played her trump card and solved the whole problem.


Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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