face card

American  

noun

1. the king, queen, or jack of playing cards.

---

face card British  

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): court card.  (in a pack of playing cards) a king, queen, or jack of any suit

---

Etymology

Origin of face card

First recorded in 1665–75

Example Sentences

His role was to be a “face card,” a former pro athlete whose presence was meant to lure unwitting victims.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the most effective tricks at their disposal were known as “face cards”—former professional athletes, such as Billups, who were there to attract potential victims to the game.

From The Wall Street Journal

Former professional athletes, described by prosecutors as "face cards", were enlisted to help in the scheme and entice victims into playing.

From BBC

The victims were allegedly lured to play in these games with former professional athletes, who acted as "face cards" in the scheme.

From BBC

In the first two seasons, the difficulty levels of the Borderland games were designated by the number on playing cards, with actual people embodying the face cards for the most challenging games.

From Salon