coup de théâtre

noun coup de thé·âtre \ˌkü-də-tā-ˈätr^ə\

plural coups de théâtre or coups de theatre \ˌkü-də-\

Definition of COUP DE THÉÂTRE

: a sudden sensational turn in a play; also : a sudden dramatic effect or turn of events

: a theatrical success

coup de thé·âtre or coup de the·atre \ˌkü-də-tā-ˈätr^ə\

French coup de théâtre, literally, stroke of theater

First Known Use: 1747

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