coup

A quick, brilliant, and highly successful act.

The conference was a major coup for Robarts, who received congratulations for his 'expert handling' of the 'risky venture.'

While the price was considered a coup for Morgan, enhancing his reputation on Wall Street, Carnegie had a different explanation for his selling price.

Of Native Americans, a blow against an enemy delivered in a way that demonstrates bravery.

Among the Blackfeet the capture of a shield, bow, gun, war bonnet, war shirt, or medicine pipe was deemed a coup.

Thus, for a horseman to ride over and knock down an enemy, who was on foot, was regarded among the Blackfeet as a coup, for the horseman might be shot at close quarters, or might receive a lance thrust.

A coup d'état.

Military coups and the military regimes which follow from them are so much a feature of third world politics that their presence or absence in any given region might almost be taken as a rough and ready touchstone of third worldliness.

It was the military's discontent with what was happening in the country and in the military that led to the first military coup in January 1966. The First Republic was brought to an ignoble end and replaced with a military government.

A takeover of one group by another.

Liz Truss’s government is in chaos after the chancellor refused to confirm he would bring forward his budget to calm the markets and the home secretary accused fellow MPs of a coup against the prime minister. […] Backbenchers also expressed outrage at [Suella] Braverman’s suggestion of a “coup” against Truss.

A single roll of the wheel at roulette, or a deal in rouge et noir.

To execute a coup.

The squaws of another race will sing the death-song of their benefactor, and woe to the Sioux if the Northern Cheyennes get a chance to coup !

To subject (a nation) to a coup d'état.

We will coup whoever we want! Deal with it.

In response to the accusation that the US government organised a coup against Evo Morales in Bolivia in order for Tesla to secure lithium there, Musk tweeted: “We will coup whoever we want! Deal with it.”

To empty out, overturn, or tilt, such as from a cart or wheelbarrow.

To exchange, barter.

How that he had been couped from hand to hand, ſometimes kept againſt his will as Captive, ſometimes beſieged, ſometimes brought to battle againſt his will by the Duglaſſes to fight againſt the Earl of Lenox, […]

[W]hen he had gotten, beſide twelve chalder of victuall, a hundred pound ſterling a-year, from the Engliſh, out of the ſtipends of other kirks, all contented him not; but he made almoſt a trade of couping horſes.