PhrasesHub

trump card

    Definitions

      • a decisive or advantageous factor or resource
        Referring to a powerful or effective resource that can be used to gain an advantage or to guarantee success in a particular situation

      • to surpass or outdo someone
        To do something better than someone else, especially by using a clever or unexpected move

    Examples of trump card

    • The CEO played his trump card in the board meeting by revealing a potential merger with a major competitor, which caught everyone off guard and secured his position.

      In poker, a trump card is a wild card that can be played to beat any other card. In this context, the CEO's trump card was a surprise announcement that gave him a strategic advantage over his opponents.

    • When negotiating a salary increase, the employee needed a trump card to convince her boss to go higher than his initial offer. She presented data from industry reports that showed she was significantly underpaid compared to her peers.

      Research and data can be a powerful trump card in negotiations or arguments, as it provides hard evidence to support one's case and make a compelling argument.

    • The politician's trump card was her charisma and public appeal, which allowed her to win over voters despite lacking experience in politics.

      In politics, personality and popularity can be just as important as qualifications and policy proposals, and a candidate who can captivate the public can win even if they have weaker credentials.

    • In a high-stakes competition, the contestant pulled out his trump card by revealing a hidden talent, such as singing or dancing, that the audience had never seen before.

      Sometimes, unexpected talents or abilities can be a trump card in competitions or performances, as they can surprise and impress the audience and give the contestant a competitive edge.

    • In a high-stakes poker game, Sarah kept her trump card, a royal flush, hidden until the very end, surprising her opponents and securing a huge win.

      The phrase "trump card" is used to describe a secret advantage, hidden strategy, or powerful resource that can be revealed at a critical moment to gain an upper hand. In this example, Sarah's royal flush, which is the strongest possible hand in poker, served as her trump card, allowing her to outplay her opponents and win the game.

    • During negotiations, the CEO revealed his trump card, a plan to acquire a major competitor, which left the other party stunned and unable to counteroffer.

      In this scenario, the CEO used his trump card, the plan to acquire a rival company, as a strategic measure to gain the upper hand in negotiations. By keeping this advantage secret until the crucial moment, the CEO was able to stun and overpower his opponent, securing a favorable outcome.

    • Alex always kept a trump card up his sleeve, whether it was a secret talent, a hidden connection, or a unique perspective.

      This idiom can be used to describe a secret resource, skill, or knowledge that someone keeps hidden until the right time. In this case, Alex is characterized by his ability to keep a trump card up his sleeve, which could take many forms: a hidden talent, a unique perspective, or a surprising connection that he reveals at the opportune moment to gain an advantage.

    • John's trump card in his presentation was a visual aid, a stunning infographic, that left the audience awestruck and convinced of his argument.

      Here, John used a visual aid, a dynamic and visually striking infographic, as his trump card to captivate and persuade his audience. By revealing this powerful resource during his presentation, John was able to sway the audience's opinion in his favor, making a strong impression and winning their trust.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "trump card" can be used to refer to a decisive or advantageous factor or resource that can be used to gain an advantage or guarantee success in a situation. It can also be used to indicate surpassing or outdoing someone by using a clever or unexpected move.

    Origin of "trump card"

    The origin of the idiom "trump card" can be traced back to the card game of whist, which was popular in the 18th century. In this game, a "trump card" is a playing card of a suit which outranks cards of other suits, and can therefore be used to win a trick. The term "trump" comes from the word "triumph," and it was first used in the context of card games in the 1520s. Over time, the term "trump card" began to be used figuratively to refer to any resource or strategy that can be used to gain an advantage or to outdo others. Today, the idiom is commonly used in a variety of contexts to indicate a powerful or effective resource that can be used to gain an advantage or to surpass others.