trump card

[ truhmp-kahrd for 1; truhmp-kahrd for 2 ]

/ ˈtrʌmp ˌkɑrd for 1; ˈtrʌmp ˈkɑrd for 2 /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for trump card on Thesaurus.com

noun

Cards. trump¹ (def. 1a).

Informal. something that gives one person or group the advantage over another: The surprise witness was his trump card.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of trump card

First recorded in 1815–25

Words nearby trump card

Truman-MacArthur controversy, Trumbo, Trumbull, trumeau, trump, trump card, trumped-up, Trumpeldor, trumpery, trumpet, trumpet creeper

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use trump card in a sentence

That could include private financial or personal information—like the credit-card numbers you used to pay for the corrupted Wi-Fi.
How ‘Ethical’ Hotel Chain Marriott Gouges Guests in the Name of Wi-Fi Security|Kyle Chayka|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The most irresponsible comments however would have to be those of Donald Trump, since he should know better.
2014: Revenge of the Creationists|Karl W. Giberson|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The screenwriting was one last card Brinsley was trying to play after every other trade he tried had turned to zeroes.
Alleged Cop Killer’s Blood-Soaked Screenplay|M.L. Nestel|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Our hearts and our prayers are with you,” read a message on the accompanying card.
'Please Don't Die!': The Frantic Battle to Save Murdered Cops|Michael Daly|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Hispanics, notes a recent Pew survey economic issues easily trump immigration.
Time to Bring Back the Truman Democrats|Joel Kotkin|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The card table profitably occupies some six to eight hours daily of these old fellows' attention.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
In most club card-rooms smoking is not permitted, but at the Pandemonium it is the fashion to smoke everywhere.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
He showed his wisdom in giving the Pandemonium card-room a very wide berth for the rest of his days.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
He has drawn a knave and a six; he takes another card; this turns out to be an ace.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Her black eyelashes were long, and under their protecting shadow she swept a glance at the card above the young man's plate.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton

Cultural definitions for trump card

trump card

In general, something capable of making a decisive difference when used at the right moment; in certain card games, trump is the suit designated as having precedence over the others: “The prosecutor was about to win the case, when the defense lawyer produced her trump card: an eyewitness who testified that the accused was nowhere near the scene of the crime.”

Other Idioms and Phrases with trump card

trump card

A key resource to gain an advantage at the opportune moment, as in That surprise witness was the defense's trump card, or She played her trump card, announcing that the Senator would speak. This expression transfers the trump card of games such as bridge, which can win over a card of another suit, to other kinds of advantage. [Early 1800s]

trump card

Origin of trump card

Words nearby trump card

Words related to trump card

How to use trump card in a sentence

Cultural definitions for trump card

Other Idioms and Phrases with trump card