deus ex machina

American  

[dey-uhs eks mah-kuh-nuh, dee-uhs eks mak-uh-nuh] / ˈdeɪ əs ɛks ˈmɑ kə nə, ˈdi əs ɛks ˈmæk ə nə /

noun

1. (in ancient Greek and Roman drama) a god introduced into a play to resolve the entanglements of the plot.

2. any artificial or improbable device resolving the difficulties of a plot.

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deus ex machina British  

/ ˈdeɪʊs ɛks ˈmækɪnə /

noun

1. (in ancient Greek and Roman drama) a god introduced into a play to resolve the plot

2. any unlikely or artificial device serving this purpose

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Etymology

Origin of deus ex machina

1690–1700; < New Latin literally, god from a machine (i.e., stage machinery from which a deity's statue was lowered), as translation of Greek apò mēchanês theós (Demosthenes), theòs ek mēchanês (Menander), etc.

Example Sentences

Roth paints a dreary portrait of how that scenario could have played out, but the horrors are resolved by something of a deus ex machina rather than by any one character’s bold, heroic actions.

From Los Angeles Times

Although some have deluded themselves into thinking the contrary, there will be no deus ex machina moment to stop this from happening.

From Salon

I am not a believer in in the deus ex machina or the exterior forces coming to solve your problems.

From Los Angeles Times

The production, which was at the Park Avenue Armory earlier this season, has arrived at the St. James Theatre in the role of deus ex machina, rescuing Broadway from its hidebound habits.

From Los Angeles Times

The deus ex machina of assisted reproduction can be a blessing or a curse, depending on the god who sent the machine.

From New York Times