to use a political issue to one’s advantage
использовать политический вопрос в своих интересах (ispol'zovat' politicheskiy vopros v svoikh interesakh)
"The minister tried to play the political card to gain public sympathy."
"Министр попытался сыграть политическую карту, чтобы получить общественное сочувствие." (Minister popytalsya **sygrat' politicheskuyu kartu**, chtoby poluchit' obshchestvennoye sochuvstvie.)
to punish or criticize someone severely
old-fashioned or not keeping up with modern ideas
By being truthful, you can avoid trouble and feel liberated.
to try very hard to help or please someone
to surprise or shock someone suddenly
in private; secretly
