Coup Meaning
Coup Definition & Usage
A sudden and illegal seizure of power from a government, often by a small group of individuals, typically military leaders or political elites.
Examples
- "The military staged a coup, overthrowing the democratically elected president."
- "After months of civil unrest, the coup led to the collapse of the regime."
- "Many countries have experienced coups throughout their history, often resulting in years of instability."
- "The general was accused of plotting a coup to seize control of the country."
- "In some regions, coups have become a common way for leaders to maintain power without public support."
A notable or successful achievement, often one that is unexpected or impressive.
Examples
- "Landing the top spot on the chart was a real coup for the young artist."
- "The company’s new product launch was a marketing coup, attracting major media attention."
- "Winning the contract away from a much larger competitor was a real coup for the firm."
- "It was a coup to get such a high-profile endorsement for the campaign."
- "His ability to secure the deal was seen as a major coup in the business world."
Cultural Context
The term 'coup' originates from the French word 'coup d'état', which literally means 'blow of state'. It historically refers to the violent overthrow of a government, often by military leaders or political elites. In modern usage, it can refer to any significant and sudden change of power, or even a personal or business achievement that seems unexpected or impressive.
The Unlikely Coup
Story
The Unlikely Coup
It was a rainy evening when Anna received the news. She had just closed a deal that, if successful, would secure the future of her company for years to come. The press had dubbed it a 'marketing coup', an achievement she never expected. Despite fierce competition from industry giants, Anna had convinced a major celebrity to endorse their latest product line. The deal was a game-changer, and it had come out of nowhere. As she walked into her office to celebrate, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from a former colleague, reporting a much more literal kind of coup. A military group had overthrown the government in a country she had recently visited for business. The images on the news were unsettling—soldiers storming the president’s palace, tanks in the streets, chaos reigning. The contrast between the two coups felt surreal. One was a strategic, unexpected business victory, a symbol of personal achievement. The other was a violent power shift that would leave an entire country in turmoil. Anna sat back in her chair, reflecting on the fragility of power, whether in business or in politics. The world she operated in seemed so different from the one unfolding on the television screen, yet in both cases, power had shifted—suddenly, unexpectedly, and with far-reaching consequences.
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