presto changeo
/ˌprɛstəʊ ˈtʃeɪn(d)ʒəʊ/(also presto change-o, presto change-oh, presto chango) originally US
exclamation
Announcing the climax of a conjuring trick or a sudden transformation; ‘hey presto!’.
adjective
Versatile, adaptable; resembling or of the nature of a conjuring trick. Hence: quick or sudden; swift and unexpected.
noun
A quick or sudden change, a volte-face. Also occasionally: an instance of saying ‘presto changeo’; a quick-change act.
adverb
Suddenly, straightaway.
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in The Chicago Tribune. From presto change + -o.
- trackside
- track someone/thing down
- track something in
- track something up
- tracksuit
- trackway
- trackwork
- tract
- tractability
- tractable
- tractableness
- tractably
- Tractarian
- Tractarianism
- tractate
- tract home
- tract house
- tract housing
- traction
- traction engine
- tractive
- tractor
- tractor beam
- tractor trailer
- tractotomy