coup

Everyday

1. A sudden, often violent, illegal taking of power in a country, usually by the army; also called a coup d'état. tree →
2. A clever, successful action that wins something hard to get. tree →

In the lessons

In history and news lessons it appears when soldiers or leaders take over a government without an election. In everyday talk it can mean a great success ("getting that star player was a coup"). Phrases: "military coup", "failed coup", "a coup d'état", "a real coup".

Examples

• The army took power in a coup. tree →
• The coup failed, and the president stayed in power. tree →
• Getting the famous author to visit our school was a real coup. tree →
• After the coup, there were protests in the streets. tree →
• A coup d'état is French for "a blow against the state". tree →

Note

Pronounced "koo"; the p is silent. Plural: coups (also "koos"). From French "coup" meaning a blow or hit. Do not confuse with "coop" (a hen house) or "coupe".