to put to one's trumps

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

1.A winning card; one of a particular suit (usually determined by chance for each deal) any card of which takes any card of the other suits. [1913 Webster]

2.An old game with cards, nearly the same as whist; -- called also ruff. --Decker. [1913 Webster]

3.A good fellow; an excellent person. [Slang] [1913 Webster]

Alfred is a trump, I think you say.— Thackeray.[1913 Webster]

To put to one's trumps, or To put on one's trumps, to force to the last expedient, or to the utmost exertion. [1913 Webster]

But when kings come so low as to fawn upon philosophy, which before they neither valued nor understood, it is a sign that fails not, they are then put to their last trump.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

Put the housekeeper to her trumps to accommodate them.— W. Irving.[1913 Webster]