masterstroke

American  

[mas-ter-strohk, mah-ster-] / ˈmæs tərˌstroʊk, ˈmɑ stər- /

Or master stroke

noun

1. a masterly action or achievement; an extremely skillful or effective action.

   War was avoided by a masterstroke of diplomacy.

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masterstroke British  

/ ˈmɑːstəˌstrəʊk /

noun

1. an outstanding piece of strategy, skill, talent, etc

   your idea is a masterstroke

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Etymology

Origin of masterstroke

First recorded in 1670–80; master + stroke ¹

Example Sentences

Masterstroke, from the French arm of the Godolphin operation, has also fared badly and will start just inside Orfevre from 17.

From The Guardian • Oct. 5, 2012

Masterstroke, Godolphin's French-based runner, is not among the obvious favourites, but at 10-1, he hardly counts as a rank outsider either.

From The Guardian • Oct. 3, 2012

Andre Fabre, who already has seven Arc victories to his name, has two representatives in Prix Foy runner-up Meandre and Masterstroke, owned by Godolphin's French section.

From The Guardian • Oct. 2, 2012

Yet his masterpiece, The Fairy Feller's Masterstroke, combines Boschian mystery with Alice-in-Wonderland fantasy in a way that makes it clear Dadd was a prophet of Surrealism.

From Time Magazine Archive

Dadd dedicated The Fairy Feller's Masterstroke to Haydon, gave it to him before he died at the age of 67 in 1886.

From Time Magazine Archive