trump card
[noun]
Synonyms: clincher, trump

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Related Idioms: ace in the hole
Related Words: ace, coup, coup de grace, coup de main

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

trump card noun

1. (also trump)
   (in some card games) a card that belongs to the suit (= one of the four sets in a pack of cards) that has been chosen for a particular game to have a higher value than the other three suits

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2. something that gives you an advantage over other people, especially when they do not know what it is and you are able to use it to surprise them
   • ● He was able to get what he wanted without having to play his trump card.
   • ● Many private schools use small classes as their trump card in marketing campaigns.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

trump card
an advantage that makes you more likely to succeed than other people, especially something that other people do not know about.
The fact that I had an Italian parent turned out to be my trump card when I applied for the job.

Anthea was about to play her trump card - none of the money could be released without her signature.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

trump card
something that is kept back to be used to win success if nothing else works (a trump card is a card that is chosen to temporarily be stronger than the other cards)
Although we appeared weak during the negotiations we had some new information to use as our trump card.

The man's trump card was his knowledge of the sales figures that nobody else knew.

The boxer's trump card in his desire for another fight was his great popularity with the fans.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

trump card
n. Something kept back to be used to win success if nothing else works.
The coach saved his star pitcher for a trump card.
Mary had several ways to get Joan to come to her party. Her trump card was that the football captain would be there.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲