Grammar fix
come up trumps
succeed unexpectedly
To produce an excellent result when success is needed, often unexpectedly.
How oftenNow and then
LevelC1
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Our backup plan came up trumps when the original venue cancelled.
My older brother came up trumps when my laptop broke before an exam because he lent me his spare one.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: She came up trump.
Say: She came up trumps.
The idiom is normally used with plural 'trumps', even when the subject is singular.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Do well when someone needs you
Where it's saidBritishAnywhere
come up trumpsYou're here · British, informal: succeed when needed, often unexpectedly.
deliver the goodsProduce the promised or expected result.come throughDo what others need or expect, especially under pressure.