Words / B2

KOO/kuː/

A coup is a sudden illegal seizure of power, often by the military (a coup d’état); also a strikingly successful act: a military coup; a publicity coup. Sounds like coo. Revolution is broader and popular; election is legal. Date the coup in the politics source. Mix-up: coupe (a car); coop. Do not write coup for a routine cabinet reshuffle the source calls lawful.

Meaning

A sudden illegal seizure of power, often by the military (a coup d’état); also a strikingly successful act.

Examples

• “Date the coup in the politics source, not a sports “win”.”
• “A publicity coup featured in the media case, which is the striking-success sense.”

Good to know

a military / palace coup; coup d’état; a publicity coup. Broader: revolution. Trap: coupe / coop. News, history, and politics. A seizure of power, or a dramatic success — specify.

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