masterstroke

or mas·ter stroke

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

noun

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

Origin of masterstroke

First recorded in 1670–80; master + stroke¹

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

Related Words for master-stroke

achievement, advantage, triumph, victory

Examples from the Web for master-stroke

Historical Examples of master-stroke

Yes, you have not yet heard Marmaduke's master-stroke of policy!
Tales And Novels, Volume 5 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
Long after Bar got made Attorney-General, this was told of him as a master-stroke.
Little Dorrit
Charles Dickens
It was a master-stroke: and he had staked a good deal on it.
The Incomplete Amorist
E. Nesbit
Surely this was the very triumph of crime, a master-stroke of villany.
Henry Dunbar
M. E. Braddon
On the other hand, I see here a great chance for a master-stroke.
The O'Ruddy
Stephen Crane

British Dictionary definitions for master-stroke

masterstroke

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

Word Origin and History for master-stroke

"masterly line or touch" (especially in painting), 1670s, from master (n.) + stroke (n.). Probably based on a Dutch or German model.