trump
gb/tɹˈʌmp/ us/tɹˈʌmp/
B2
English
~ 7700
felülír, fontosabb, adu, ütőkártya, aduval üt, aranyember, jó fej, pukizik, puki
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to trump [something]
For many voters, economic issues trumped all other concerns.
Sok választó számára a gazdasági kérdések minden más szempontot felülírtak.
In this company, safety always trumps speed.
Ennél a cégnél a biztonság mindig fontosabb a gyorsaságnál.
Her real‑world experience trumped his impressive academic record.
The need to protect patient privacy can sometimes trump public curiosity.
When it comes to hiring, attitude often trumps raw talent.
Learner examples
For him, family time trumps extra money.
Számára a családdal töltött idő fontosabb a pluszpénznél.
In the test, clear writing trumps long, difficult words.
A dolgozatban a világos fogalmazás fontosabb a hosszú, nehéz szavaknál.
In many jobs, teamwork trumps individual skill.
For some people, comfort trumps style when they buy clothes.
Sometimes fear trumps common sense.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"trump over something"* by analogy with verbs like "win over" or "triumph over". In modern English, "trump" in this sense is normally used directly with an object, as in "X trumps Y", without a preposition.
Meaning
To outweigh or override something
Collocations
trump the competition
|safety trumps convenience
|trump all other concerns
|trump every other factor
|principle trumps profit
|emotion often trumps logic
Synonyms
override (Often used about rules, decisions, or settings being made stronger than or replacing others.)
|
outweigh (Focuses more on having more importance or value, less on winning a conflict.)
Antonyms
yield to (Suggests allowing something else to be stronger or more important, the opposite of trumping it.)
Themes
politics
|business
|comparison
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To be stronger or more important than something else and so decide what happens.
To be more important, powerful, or effective than something else, so that it has a stronger influence or decides the outcome.
NOUN
B2
2
adu
B1
Usage pattern:
a trump [card/suit]
He played a trump and took the trick easily.
Kijátszott egy adut, és könnyedén elvitte az ütést.
Spades are trumps in this round, so your hearts are weak.
Ebben a leosztásban a pikk az adu, így a kőrjeid gyengék.
We decided that clubs would be trumps for the next hand.
She had no trumps left and had to follow suit.
If you lead a trump now, you can draw out their high cards.
Learner examples
In this game, hearts are trumps.
Ebben a játékban a kőr az adu.
He won the trick with a trump card.
Egy aduval nyerte meg az ütést.
I do not have any trumps in my hand.
She played a trump and beat my king.
Diamonds are trumps, so diamonds are strong.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse "trump" with "trumpet" and think it is related to music. In card games, "trump" only refers to the special strong suit or cards.
Meaning
High-ranking suit or card in games
Collocations
trump card
|trump suit
|play a trump
|lead a trump
|draw trumps
|hold the trumps
Synonyms
winning card (A descriptive phrase; it lacks the specific game-technical sense of a designated trump suit.)
Themes
games
|leisure
|arts_entertainment
Definition
In some card games, a special suit or card that is stronger than the other suits.
In some card games, a suit or card that ranks above the other suits and can win a trick even when it is not the led suit.
NOUN
B2
3
ütőkártya
B2
Usage pattern:
a trump card [in/for something]
Her language skills were the team's trump card in the negotiations.
A nyelvtudása volt a csapat ütőkártyája a tárgyalásokon.
The company is keeping its biggest trump card for the final round of talks.
A cég a tárgyalások utolsó fordulójára tartogatja a legnagyobb ütőkártyáját.
Their strong brand loyalty remains their trump against new competitors.
Low production costs are our main trump card in this market.
His calm under pressure proved to be his trump card during the crisis.
Learner examples
Her experience is her trump card in the job interview.
A tapasztalata az ütőkártyája az állásinterjún.
The team keeps one trump card for the last game.
A csapat tartogat egy ütőkártyát az utolsó meccsre.
Cheap prices are the store's trump card.
Good service is our trump card against other hotels.
His contacts are his trump card in business.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse just "trump" alone as a noun for "advantage". In modern English this sense almost always appears as the fixed phrase "trump card" rather than "a trump" on its own.
Meaning
Decisive advantage or resource
Collocations
hold a trump card
|play your trump card
|our main trump card
|secret trump card
|final trump card
|have the trump card
Synonyms
advantage (A general word; "trump" or "trump card" suggests a stronger or more decisive advantage, often kept for later use.)
|
ace in the hole (An informal idiom meaning a hidden advantage, similar in feel to a secret trump card.)
Antonyms
disadvantage (Refers to a factor that makes success less likely, the opposite of a helpful trump.)
Themes
business
|competition
|strategy
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A special thing that helps you win or get what you want, especially when you use it at the right time.
A decisive advantage, resource, or factor that can be used to gain victory or achieve a goal, especially when kept in reserve.
VERB
B2
4
aduval üt
B2
Usage pattern:
to trump [a card/trick]
She had no hearts left, so she trumped the trick with a spade.
Nem maradt kőrje, ezért egy pikk aduval vitte el az ütést.
If you trump his king, you'll win the hand.
Ha aduval ütöd a királyát, megnyered a leosztást.
You should have saved that high card to trump later.
He tried to trump my ace, but I still had the highest trump.
Players are not allowed to trump if they can follow suit.
Learner examples
I do not have clubs, so I trump with a diamond.
Nincs treffem, ezért káró aduval ütök.
He will trump your card and win.
Aduval üti majd a lapodat, és nyer.
She trumped the trick with her last spade.
You can trump now and take the trick.
He saved a high card to trump later.
Meaning
Play a trump card in cards
Collocations
trump a card
|trump the ace
|trump the trick
|unable to trump
|forced to trump
|trump with a spade
Synonyms
ruff (A more technical card-game term, used especially in bridge, for trumping specifically when you have no cards in the led suit.)
Themes
games
|leisure
|arts_entertainment
Definition
In a card game, to play a trump card so you can win that round.
In a card game, to play a card from the trump suit in order to win a trick.
NOUN
C1
INFORMAL
5
aranyember
B1
jó fej
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a real trump
Thanks for looking after the kids at such short notice; you're a real trump.
Köszönöm, hogy ilyen hirtelen vigyáztál a gyerekekre; igazi aranyember vagy.
He turned out a trump when everything went wrong on the trip.
Amikor az utazáson minden balul sült el, kiderült róla, hogy igazi aranyember.
You've been an absolute trump during this move.
She can be quiet, but in a crisis she's a real trump.
What a trump, staying late to help us finish the project.
Learner examples
Thanks for your help; you are a real trump.
Köszönöm a segítséget; igazi aranyember vagy.
He was a trump when I was ill.
Igazi jó fej volt, amikor beteg voltam.
She is a trump in hard times.
My neighbor is a real trump to my family.
You have been a trump today.
Common mistake:
This use of "trump" is quite informal and mainly British, and it sounds old-fashioned to some speakers. Learners often sound more natural using words like "star" or "hero" instead.
Meaning
Very helpful or reliable person
Collocations
a real trump
|an absolute trump
|such a trump
|you are a trump
|turned out a trump
Synonyms
star (Informal praise; "trump" sounds a bit more old-fashioned and warm, especially in British English.)
Antonyms
letdown (A person who disappoints you instead of helping; contrasts with a supportive trump.)
Themes
relationships
|character
|work
Definition
Informal British English: a person who is very good to you, for example because they help you a lot when things are hard.
Informal, mainly British: a person who is very helpful, loyal, or reliable, especially in a difficult situation.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
6
pukizik
A2
Usage pattern:
to trump [loudly/quietly]
The toddler giggled every time he trumped in the bath.
A kisgyerek kuncogott, valahányszor pukizott a kádban.
Someone has trumped in here, open a window.
Valaki bepukizott itt bent, nyiss ablakot.
She tried not to laugh when the dog trumped loudly on the sofa.
He was so nervous he thought he might trump in the middle of the meeting.
My little brother always blames the cat when he trumps.
Learner examples
The baby trumped and started to laugh.
A baba pukizott, és nevetni kezdett.
Please do not trump in the car.
Kérlek, ne pukizz az autóban.
The dog trumped and the room smelled bad.
He is afraid he will trump in class.
She trumped by mistake and felt shy.
Common mistake:
Learners may not recognize this childish use and misunderstand jokes or stories where "trump" clearly does not mean "win" or "card". It is best avoided in polite or formal situations.
Meaning
To pass gas (fart)
Collocations
trump loudly
|trump in bed
|baby trumped
|trump in the bath
|trump during class
Synonyms
fart ("Fart" is more common; "trump" sounds softer or more childish and is often used by or with children.)
Themes
body
|humor
|health
Definition
Informal (often used by children): to let gas out from your bottom, usually with a small sound.
Informal, chiefly childish: to pass gas from the bowels through the anus, usually making a sound or smell.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
7
puki
A2
Usage pattern:
a loud/quiet trump
The baby let out a little trump and then smiled.
A baba elengedett egy kis pukit, aztán elmosolyodott.
Suddenly there was a loud trump, and everyone burst out laughing.
Hirtelen egy hangos puki hallatszott, és mindenki nevetésben tört ki.
We heard a quiet trump from the back of the classroom.
The dog gave a smelly trump and left the room.
At the dinner table, a trump is not funny to everyone.
Learner examples
The child made a small trump and laughed.
A gyerek elengedett egy kis pukit, és nevetett.
We heard a loud trump in the room.
Hangos pukit hallottunk a szobában.
The dog made a trump on the sofa.
He tried to hide his trump.
Her baby makes many trumps every day.
Meaning
A fart (childish term)
Collocations
a loud trump
|a little trump
|a smelly trump
|let out a trump
|baby trumps
Synonyms
fart (The standard informal word; "trump" is a softer, more childish term.)
Themes
body
|humor
|health
Definition
Informal (often for children): a small sound and gas from your bottom.
Informal, chiefly childish: an instance of passing gas from the bowels through the anus, especially when it makes a sound.
Grammar
Dictionary form
trump
IPA
GB/tɹˈʌmp/
US/tɹˈʌmp/
Syllables & stress
trump (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (trump)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: trump
- Plural: trump, trumps
Verb
- Base: trump
- 3rd Person Singular: trumps
- Present Participle: trumping
- Past: trumped
Word family
Forms
trumps
noun
trumping
verb
trumped
verb
Advanced or less common
trumped-up
adjective
Expressions
come up trumps
1/kˈʌm ˈʌp tɹˈʌmps/
idiom
informal
Succeed or help unexpectedly well
To do very well or help a lot, often better than people expected.
Examples
- Our volunteers really came up trumps during the festival.
- The old laptop came up trumps and lasted the whole trip.
- Whenever we need extra staff, she always comes up trumps.
play your trump card
1/plˈeɪ jˈʊɹ tɹˈʌmp kˈɑɹd/
idiom
Use your strongest advantage
To use your strongest or most secret advantage at an important moment in order to win or succeed.
Examples
- They waited until the final debate to play their trump card.
- I don't want to play my trump card too early in the negotiations.
- When he mentioned his contacts in the ministry, he was clearly playing his trump card.
trump card
1/tɹˈʌmp kˈɑɹd/
idiom
Hidden or decisive advantage
A special or secret advantage that can help you win or succeed, especially when you use it at the right time.
Examples
- Her fluency in three languages is her trump card in the global job market.
- The company played its trump card by revealing a brand-new product.
- Low prices remain their trump card against bigger rivals.
trump up
1/tɹˈʌmp ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Invent false charges or evidence
To invent or make false charges, reasons, or evidence, especially to blame or control someone.
Examples
- The journalist claimed that the government had trumped up the charges to silence her.
- They were arrested on trumped-up accusations of fraud.
- Critics say the case was trumped up to remove a political rival.
trumped-up charges
1/tɹˈʌmpt ˈʌp t͡ʃˈɑɹd͡ʒɪz/
fixed phrase
False or exaggerated accusations
Legal or official accusations that are false or exaggerated, made to hurt or control someone.
Examples
- Human rights groups say he is in prison on trumped-up charges.
- The activists were arrested on what many saw as trumped-up charges.
- She denied the trumped-up charges and called for an independent inquiry.
turn up trumps
1/tˈɚn ˈʌp tɹˈʌmps/
idiom
informal
Produce a very good result
To end very well or give a very good result, often when you were not sure it would.
Examples
- In the end, our risky plan turned up trumps.
- The internet search turned up trumps and found the exact document we needed.
- His contacts turned up trumps and got us last-minute tickets.