A: Why is the boy crying so hard? B: He wants a new toy. When his father refuses to let him have his way, he plays his trump card by crying. Note: This term, with its roots in a game played in the 15th century, literally refers to a playing card in the trump suit, held in reserve for winning a trick. By metaphor, it refers to an advantage that makes you more likely to succeed than other people, especially something that others do not know about. For example: Anthea was about to play her trump card — without her signature none of the money could be released. |