trump card
5
3.8
- noun
- /trʌmp kɑrd/
:
as bajo la manga
- Her extensive network of contacts was the trump card that helped her land the job.
So all these incredibly difficult decisions and Saddam had a trump card to play.
- So all these incredibly difficult decisions and Saddam had a trump card to play.
- They see nuclear weapons as their trump card in a conventional fight, and they have said so.
- Man is also double dealing when he requires woman to play the game fairly while he denies them the indispensable trump cards through distrust and hostility.
- Yeah, but, you know, physical reality still holds the trump card, right.
Examples
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Finally, Saudi Arabia has a trump card that Russia does not: spare production capacity.
Academic text (2002) -
David is holding the trump card with the HCT Act.
Blog text (11) -
Do you think I would leave my trump card lying on the table?
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- This is our only trump card.
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That was his trump card.
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The United States could come to regret having played its trump card so early.
Academic text (2006) -
Another may be that those who play politics should not reveal their trump card unless absolutely necessary.
Academic text (1996) -
The United States' trump card would be the threat to leave Iraq altogether.
Academic text (2006) -
Either way, their trump card is their small size compared with other carnivores.
Academic text (1991) -
Obama's trump card this entire election has been his favorability edge over Romney.
Blog text (3)
Synonyms
∞
2.8
Something that helps a person do better than others
310
3.8
A small advantage that makes someone more likely to win or succeed
140
5.2
Power to influence people or events to get a better result
80
5.1
A force that draws things or gives someone an advantage
54
3.2
A position giving power or advantage over someone in a situation
9
6.1
A hidden advantage you keep until you need it
A secret advantage someone keeps to use when needed
Antonyms
How Advantageous
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'an advantage or resource that gives someone the decisive edge' is directly inferable from combining 'trump' (to defeat/outdo) with 'card' (a playing card) — originally a card that beats others and then extended metaphorically. This game-based metaphor is common cross-linguistically and follows a straightforward compositional pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would likely understand the MWE.
Etymology
Trump card meaning 'an advantage' comes from that same card picture: holding or saving a trump card for the right moment could win you a round, so to 'play your trump card' now means to use your best advantage.