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Coup

/kuː/

nounB2

Definition

A coup is when a small group quickly takes power from the current leaders, often by force or secret plans. It usually happens in politics when people want to change who is in charge without following the normal rules or elections. Sometimes, coup also means a clever or impressive success in other areas.

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⚡ See It in Action

Sudden illegal seizure of government power

  • •The military staged a coup to remove the president.
  • •Many countries have experienced coups during times of political unrest.
  • •The coup was successful, and the new leaders took control immediately.

A clever or impressive action or achievement

  • •Winning the contract was a real coup for the small company.
  • •Her promotion was a coup after years of hard work.

🧲 Make It Stick

  • ✓Think of "coup" like "win," but a very sudden and surprising win that changes who is in charge.
  • ✓Picture a small group sneaking into a big building to take control quickly, like in a movie.
  • ✓It's the feeling of shock when leaders suddenly disappear and new people take over.
  • ✓Sounds like "coo" (the soft sound a dove makes) → imagine a quiet but powerful action that changes everything suddenly.
  • ✓In stories or movies, coups often happen when people want to change the government quickly without waiting.
  • ✓NOT like "election" (which is legal and peaceful), a coup is usually illegal and fast.
  • ✓NOT like "revolution" (which involves many people and big changes), a coup is done by a small group.
  • ✓NOT like "takeover" in business that can be slow; a coup is very fast and secret.

🔄 Try Other Words

  • •Takeover: gaining control of something (Use when control is gained but not necessarily illegally or suddenly)
  • •Overthrow: removing a leader or government (Use when focusing on removing power, often violently)
  • •Victory: success in a contest or battle (Use for general success, less about control or power)

🔍 Unboxing

  • •No prefix or suffix; a single root word "coup"
  • •From French word "coup" meaning "blow" or "strike"
  • •Originally meant a sudden hit or strike, later used for sudden political actions
  • •First used in English in the 18th century to describe sudden political takeovers
  • •Today, used mainly for political power seizures and also clever achievements

💭 Reflect & Connect

•Why do you think coups happen more in some countries than others?
•Can a coup ever be a good thing, or is it always bad? Why?

Fill in the blanks with the correct word:

1.The military planned a coup because they wanted to ___ the government quickly.
2.A coup is different from an election because it is usually ___ and illegal.
3.When a small group takes power suddenly, it is called a ___.
4.Winning an important contract can be called a ___ if it is surprising and clever.
5.Unlike a revolution, a coup involves ___ people acting fast.
6.After the coup, the previous leaders were ___ from power.
7.A coup often causes ___ and confusion in a country.