Turn up trumps

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Meaning

Produce an unexpectedly good result or prove especially helpful when needed. Informal and approving. Come up trumps is a very common modern form. Regional use: Chiefly British English; also used elsewhere.

Origin

Trump in card games is an altered form of triumph and has denoted a suit or card that outranks others since the early 16th century. The figurative expression draws on the favourable appearance of a winning trump card and is documented in the 18th century; it was already included by Francis Grose in 1785.

Variants

  • Come up trumps
  • Turn out trumps
  • Come out trumps

Usage Examples

  • The reserve goalkeeper turned up trumps with two saves in the shoot-out.
  • Our elderly van came up trumps and carried the equipment through the snow.

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