ausspielen

play a card

verb OWS-shpee-len Rare

Also means

play off against

Usage Note

ausspielen is a separable verb meaning to play out a card, lead in a trick game, or play one party off against another. Er spielt seine letzte Karte aus uses it literally; zwei gegeneinander ausspielen is the figurative sense.

Examples

"Sie spielte ihren höchsten Trumpf zuletzt aus."

Natural Translation

She played her highest trump last.

Literal Translation

She played her highest trump last out.

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