coup de théâtre
[ kooduh tey-ah-truh ]
/ kudə teɪˈɑ trə /
noun, plural coups de thé·â·tre [kooduh tey-ah-truh] /kudə teɪˈɑ trə/. French.
a surprising or unexpected turn of events in a play.
a sensational and unexpected turn in the plot of a drama.
any theatrical trick intended to have a sensational effect.
Nearby words
coup de foudre, coup de grâce, coup de main, coup de maître, coup de poing, coup de théâtre, coup injury of brain, coup stick, coupe, couperin, couperus
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for coup de theatre
coup de théâtre
/ French (ku də teɑtrə) /
noun plural coups de théâtre (ku də teɑtrə)
a dramatic turn of events, esp in a play
a sensational device of stagecraft
a stage success
Word Origin for coup de théâtre
literally: stroke of the theatre
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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