switcheroo

American  

[swich-uh-roo, swich-uh-roo] / ˌswɪtʃ əˈru, ˈswɪtʃ əˌru /

noun

Slang.

plural

switcheroos

1. an unexpected or sudden change or reversal in attitude, character, position, action, etc.

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switcheroo British  

/ ˌswɪtʃəˈruː /

noun

1. slang a surprising or unexpected change or variation

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Etymology

Origin of switcheroo

First recorded in 1930–35; switch + -eroo

Explanation

A switcheroo is a surprising change or reversal. If your mom replaced the cookies in a cookie jar with plums, your dad might say, "She pulled the old switcheroo!" Most often, a switcheroo is a joke or trick — a magician might appear to change your ten-dollar bill into a feather, and you could call this a switcheroo. Another kind of switcheroo is simply an abrupt change of direction, like a sudden switcheroo in a movie's plot that leaves you totally confused. Switcheroo was first used, in an informal and joking way, in 1933.

Example Sentences

Neither one of them should be calling it now with all the uncertainty over the actual Dodgers playoff rotation, but this personality switcheroo is really throwing me off.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 21, 2024

Not everyone was buying the campaign’s explanation for the switcheroo.

From Washington Times • Aug. 14, 2023

The switcheroo to a very recognizable brand was cheered on Wall Street.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 29, 2023

Their alleged box switcheroo was captured on surveillance footage obtained by prosecutors and shown to the grand jury.

From Slate • Jun. 9, 2023

Dad didn’t speak to Mom all morning because of the turkey-tofu switcheroo.

From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass