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.
Research Sources
References used to check this entry’s meaning, history, or documented forms.
Variants
- Come out trumps
- Come up trumps
- Turn 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.