coup de théâtre
Americannoun
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a surprising or unexpected turn of events in a play.
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a sensational and unexpected turn in the plot of a drama.
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any theatrical trick intended to have a sensational effect.
noun
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a dramatic turn of events, esp in a play
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a sensational device of stagecraft
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a stage success
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of coup de théâtre
literally: stroke of the theatre
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the final coup de théâtre, a black-and-white environment slowly transforms into a brilliantly green, leafy tree as Ana’s choked syllables become the “I” that her father forbade her to use.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026
“Into the Woods” occasioned Peters’ best work, including a duet with Salonga of “Children Will Listen” and a coup de théâtre involving Little Red Riding Hood’s costume.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2025
He out-Brecht-ed Brecht with Peter Weiss’s “Marat/Sade” for the RSC in the 1960s, a shattering coup de théâtre with Glenda Jackson as an asylum inmate and Patrick Magee as the Marquis de Sade.
From Washington Post • Jul. 3, 2022
But on Tuesday night, his coup de théâtre was a naturalisation ceremony at the White House for five new citizens from different continents.
From The Guardian • Aug. 26, 2020
The Portuguese, perceiving a sudden flash of cutlasses on board the pirate ship—a coup de théâtre arranged by Roberts—submitted at once.
From The Sea: Its Stirring Story of Adventure, Peril, & Heroism. Volume 3 by Whymper, Frederick
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
