trump card
Decisive strategic asset
A trump card is the winning play held in reserve.
In card games, a trump is any card from the suit designated to outrank all others, able to beat even higher cards of different suits.
The figurative meaning dominates: a decisive advantage saved until the right moment.
She played her trump card and revealed she had recorded the conversation.
To trump is to beat or outdo: His last-minute offer trumped all the others.
Secret resource held back
- secret weaponHidden strategic advantage
- upper handPosition of control
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
bargaining chip · ace in the hole · clincher · game changer · tiebreaker · knockout blow · coup de grâce · decider
Structure spanning an obstacle
- whistTrick-taking partnership card game
- euchreTrick or cheat
- pinochleTrick-taking meld game
- spadesFlat-bladed digging implements
hearts · trick-taking · suit · bid · ruff · overtrump · declarer · dummy hand
Risky opening for advantage
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- timingArt of choosing moments
- bluffCalculated false front
- calculated riskHazard taken deliberately
counterattack · endgame · power play · reserve · hidden asset · contingency · tactical advantage · positioning
Not anticipated beforehand
- wildcardUnpredictable factor in play
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- shock valueCapacity to disturb
game-changing moment · bombshell · stunner · joker · dramatic reveal · turnaround · last-minute save · surprise ending
ace up sleeve
Secret resource held back
- secret weaponHidden strategic advantage
- upper handPosition of control
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
leverage · bargaining chip · ace in the hole · clincher · game changer · tiebreaker · knockout blow · coup de grâce · decider · finisher
bridge
Structure spanning an obstacle
spades · hearts · trick-taking · suit · bid · ruff · overtrump · declarer · dummy hand · finesse
gambit
Risky opening for advantage
calculated risk · counterattack · endgame · power play · reserve · hidden asset · contingency · tactical advantage · positioning · holding back
unexpected
Not anticipated beforehand
- wildcardUnpredictable factor in play
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
shock value · game-changing moment · bombshell · stunner · joker · dramatic reveal · turnaround · last-minute save · surprise ending · plot twist
- Debate Winsmic drop, checkmate, comeback, rebuttal, counterpoint
- Belotetricks, melds, declarations, capot, bidding
- card gamespoker, blackjack, solitaire, hearts, spades
- advantagesedge, leverage, upper hand, leg up, head start
- card termsace, pair, flush, king of hearts, straight
- cardspoker deck, bridge deck, hearts, diamonds, clubs
trump cardliability
Legal or financial obligation
handicap · disadvantage · weakness · vulnerability · burden
trump carddud
Failed device or effort
non-starter · wild card · losing hand · bust · dead end
trump cardlosing position
Unfavorable competitive standing
weak hand · powerlessness · helplessness · low card · empty hand
card, triumph, cards, trump, trumped, carded, playing card, trumps, carding