切り札
Meanings
1
In card games, the suit designated as trumps, or a specific trump card.
It's a game where spades are trumps.
I played my last trump card and won.
2
ace up one's sleeve; secret weapon; last resort
Figurative use: a hidden advantage, decisive resource, or final option kept in reserve for a critical moment.
He used that information as a trump card in the negotiations.
She is still hiding her final ace up her sleeve.
Usage patterns
- 切り札を出すto play one's trump card
He played his trump card at the end and turned the game around.
- 〈人〉の切り札someone's trump card/secret weapon
This new technology will probably become the company's trump card.
- 切り札を切るto play/use one's trump card (decisively)
The coach played his trump card late in the match.
- 〈事〉の切り札として使うto use something as a trump card for a matter
She used that evidence as a trump card in the negotiation.