IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishplay one's last card
Meaning: To make a final attempt, using the last resource one has.
Example: “When the bank refused, she played her last card and asked her grandfather for the loan.”
Origin: From card games, where the last card in hand is the final chance to win the trick. No first use has been traced.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Brûler ses dernières cartouches Literally: To burn one's last cartridges
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