masterstroke

or mas·ter stroke

[ mas-ter-strohk, mah-ster- ]

/ ˈmæs tərˌstroʊk, ˈmɑ stər- /

noun

a masterly action or achievement; an extremely skillful or effective action: War was avoided by a masterstroke of diplomacy.

Nearby words

masters, masters, edgar lee, mastership, mastersinger, masterson, masterstroke, masterwork, masterwort, mastery, masthead, mastic

Origin of masterstroke

First recorded in 1670–80; master + stroke¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for master-stroke

But I conclude it with one master-stroke of eulogy—He was the opposite of these men.
It Is Never Too Late to Mend|Charles Reade
But if he intended the speech to be hailed as a master-stroke of wit, he signally failed, for nobody laughed.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall|Anne Bronte
The building of Alexandria must be held the master-stroke of policy by which Egypt was kept in obedience.
History Of Egypt From 330 B.C. To The Present Time, Volume 10 (of 12)|S. Rappoport
This last phrase, accompanied by a significant sigh, was a master-stroke.
The Physiology of Marriage, Complete|Honore de Balzac

The use of the Latin in the services and administration of the Roman Church is a master-stroke of political genius.
Constantinople painted by Warwick Goble|Alexander Van Millingen

British Dictionary definitions for master-stroke

masterstroke

/ (ˈmɑːstəˌstrəʊk) /

noun

an outstanding piece of strategy, skill, talent, etcyour idea is a masterstroke

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012