grand coupn.
/ˌɡrɒ̃ ˈkuː/, U.S. /ˌɡrɑn ˈku/, /ˌɡræn(d) ˈku/ 1. A bold and strikingly successful stroke or move. Cf. coup n.3
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > [noun] > one who or that which is successful > that which is successful > a successful stroke
gird1513
feat1564
grand coup1752
coup1791
tour de force1802
hit1811
ten-strike1840
bull's-eye1857
score1901
strike1901
1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough I. 161 They resolved to put in Execution, without Delay, the Grand Coup d'Eclat (or bold, surprizing Stroke).]
1752 W. Kenrick Fun iv. 24 There's the masterly—the grand Coup—the ev'ry Thing—Music itself no more than Sound.
1813 Ld. Byron Let. 22 Aug. (1974) III. 97 I hope you are going on with your grand coup—pray do—or that damned Lucien Buonaparte will beat us all.
1856 C. F. Adams in Life & Wks. J. Adams I. 352 Justly was it denominated by one who had spent his life in the diplomatic service, a ‘grand coup’.
1883 Standard 17 Sept. 5/2 [The police] then make a grand coup all at once.
1936 Illustr. London News 4 July 30/3 He pulled off a grand coup, his Cockney aplomb unshaken.
1999 J. May Shut Up & Deal iii. 106 I'm not too surprised when he pulls his grand coup.
2. Whist and Bridge. The deliberate disposal of a superfluous trump by ruffing a winning card from the opposite hand.
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society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > bridge > [noun] > actions or tactics > ruff or ruffing
cross-ruff1862
grand coup1864
cross-ruffing1905
under-ruff1945
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > whist > [noun] > actions or tactics > ruff or ruffing
saw1746
cross-ruff1862
grand coup1864
cross-ruffing1905
1864 J. Clay Treat. Short Whist ii, in J. L. Baldwin Laws of Short Whist 91 Le grand coup consists in getting rid of a superfluous trump.
1875 ‘Cavendish’ Laws & Princ. Whist (ed. 10) i. 130 Sometimes..a player has a trump too many. To get rid of this trump..is to play the grand coup.
1939 N. de V. Hart Bridge Players' Bedside Bk. xxxvii. 116 This ruffing of a winner to use up an embarrassing trump constituted the Grand Coup.
1983 T. Reese & D. Bird Bridge xvi. 163 The play is then considered so worthy that it is known as a grand coup.
2009 J. Laderman Bridge to Inspired Declarer Play 87 Modify this deal so that South executes a grand coup.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1752