turn up trumps
Related to turn up trumps: came up trumps
turn up trumps
To achieve success, especially in the face of adversity. (In card games, "trumps" are the cards that have been assigned the highest value.) Primarily heard in UK, Australia. After our gig got canceled, I turned up trumps by finding our band an even better one! The team has continued turning up trumps this season after yet another remarkable victory yesterday.
See also: trump, turn, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
turn up trumps
End well, succeed, as in Some brief courtships and hasty marriages turn up trumps. This expression alludes to card games in which trump cards are superior to cards of other suits. [Late 1700s]
See also: trump, turn, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
ˌcome/ˌturn up ˈtrumps
(informal)1 be very helpful or generous to somebody who has a problem: I asked a lot of people if they could lend me the money, but finally it was my sister who came up trumps.
2 do better than expected: On the day of the match the team turned up trumps (= won the game).
See also: come, trump, turn, up
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- come up trumps
- come/turn up trumps
- trump
- a nice little earner
- nice little earner
- earner
- have the last laugh
- last laugh, have the
- last laugh, to have the
- press ahead