coup de théâtre

[ kooduhtey-ah-truh ]

noun

, French.

, plural coups de thé·â·tre [kood, uh, tey-, ah, -t, r, uh].

1. a surprising or unexpected turn of events in a play.
2. a sensational and unexpected turn in the plot of a drama.
3. any theatrical trick intended to have a sensational effect.

coup de théâtre

/ ku də teɑtrə /

noun

1. a dramatic turn of events, esp in a play
2. a sensational device of stagecraft
3. a stage success

Word History and Origins

Origin of coup de théâtre¹

literally: stroke of the theatre

Example Sentences

It did so with jet planes, pulling off a coup de theatre it has never since repeated or matched on the American homeland.

From The Daily Beast

But for effect—to produce a striking coup de theatre—we could not have come more opportunely.

From Project Gutenberg

That surprise was due to the sly craft of Ambroise, who merrily explained how he had prepared it like a masterly coup de theatre.

From Project Gutenberg

I cried, as vexed as an author for whom some one has spoiled the effect of a coup de theatre.

From Project Gutenberg

On the fourth of July, the day Congress met, the government made use of a coup de theatre.

From Project Gutenberg