overtrump
C2 (Very low frequency)Specialized / Technical / Figurative
Definition
Meaning
To play a higher-ranking trump card than one previously played, especially when the previous card is not one's own.
To outdo or surpass someone in a competitive situation by using superior resources or tactics; to gain an advantage over an opponent.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primary literal sense is from the card game of Whist or Bridge. Figurative use is possible but rare. The act of overtrumping typically defeats an opponent's trump play, making it a specific, aggressive competitive move.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both variants understand the term primarily from card games (Whist/Bridge).
Connotations
Neutral/Technical in card context; slightly aggressive or cunning in figurative use.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general language in both dialects. Understood mainly by card players.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] overtrumps [Object (opponent/card)][Subject] is overtrumped by [Agent]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to have someone overtrumped (rare)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used; could metaphorically describe a competitive business move that supersedes a rival's advantage.
Academic
Virtually unused outside of historical or game theory discussions.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be understood in the context of card games.
Technical
Used in the rules and commentary of trick-taking card games like Bridge.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- With her last heart, she was able to overtrump her opponent and win the trick.
- In that crucial hand, East overtrumped South's jack.
American English
- He held the ace, so he could overtrump anyone who played a trump.
- They thought they had the trick until they got overtrumped.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjectival form.
- The overtrump play (as a compound modifier).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In Bridge, you can sometimes overtrump your partner's winning card by mistake.
- She played a high trump, but he overtrumped it with the ace.
- The new policy was an attempt to overtrump the opposition's popular proposal.
- His clever legal manoeuvre effectively overtrumped the prosecution's argument.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: OVER + TRUMP. To go OVER someone else's TRUMP card.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPETITION IS A CARD GAME / A SUPERIOR MOVE IS A HIGHER TRUMP.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'перекозырять' unless in a literal card context. In figurative use, 'превзойти' or 'переиграть' is better.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with 'trump' alone. 'Overtrump' requires a prior trump card to exist. Using it as a general synonym for 'win'.
- Misspelling as 'overtrump' or 'over-trump'. Standard form is one word.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most specific meaning of 'overtrump'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency word used almost exclusively in the context of trick-taking card games like Bridge or Whist.
Yes, but it is rare. It can be used to describe outdoing someone in a competition or argument by producing a superior counter-move.
'Trump' means to play any trump card to win a trick. 'Overtrump' specifically means to play a *higher* trump card after another trump has already been played on the same trick.
No, it is not etymologically related. The 'trump' in this word comes from the card game term, which itself comes from 'triumph'.