a coup for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a coup for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a significant achievement or advantage gained, often in a competitive context. Example: "Winning the prestigious award was a coup for the small startup, elevating its status in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Lifestyle

Business

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A coup for advertisers.

Independent

"It's a coup for her.

The New York Times - Sports

The hiring is a coup for O'Melveny.

The New York Times

That was a coup for the government.

The Economist

Landing her was a coup for Frost.

The New York Times - Sports

A coup for Norman Rosenthal.

The Guardian - Arts

But what a coup for Knightley.

The Guardian

It's quite a coup for them both.

The New York Times - Style

This was a coup for Tottenham.

The Guardian - Sport

A coup for curves this is not.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This was a coup for the Sacklers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When talking about surprising or unexpectedly positive events, consider using "a coup for" to give a sophisticated and informed tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a coup for" simply to describe any positive event. It's best reserved for situations where there's a clear element of competition, strategy, or unexpected success. For general achievements, use phrases like "a success for" or "a win for" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a coup for" functions as a noun phrase complement, typically followed by the entity that benefits from the achievement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a significant success, often in a competitive or strategic context. This is apparent in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a coup for" is a phrase used to describe a significant and often strategic achievement, as verified by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase complement, typically highlighting the beneficiary of the achievement. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, as well as formal business contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the context involves a competitive or strategic element, and not just any general positive outcome. Consider using synonyms like "a triumph for" or "a victory for" to avoid misuse. The phrase’s prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its acceptance and proper usage in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a triumph for

Replaces "coup" with "triumph", emphasizing the successful result.

a victory for

Substitutes "coup" with "victory", highlighting the win or achievement.

a success for

Replaces "coup" with "success", focusing on the favorable outcome.

an achievement for

Substitutes "coup" with "achievement", emphasizing the accomplishment.

a major win for

Adds "major" to emphasize the significance of the win.

a breakthrough for

Replaces "coup" with "breakthrough", suggesting a significant advancement.

an advantage for

Focuses on the beneficial position gained.

a strategic move for

Highlights the tactical aspect of the achievement.

a feather in the cap for

An idiomatic expression indicating an accomplishment to be proud of.

a boon for

Replaces "coup" with "boon", meaning a welcome benefit or blessing.

FAQs

How can I use "a coup for" in a sentence?

Use "a coup for" to describe a significant achievement or advantage gained, particularly in a competitive context. For example, "The acquisition of the rival company was "a coup for" the corporation".

What can I say instead of "a coup for"?

You can use alternatives like "a triumph for", "a victory for", or "a success for" depending on the specific context.

Is "a coup for" formal or informal?

"A coup for" is generally considered suitable for neutral to formal contexts, often appearing in news, business, and professional writing.

What's the difference between "a win for" and "a coup for"?

While both phrases denote a positive outcome, "a coup for" suggests a more strategic, unexpected, or hard-won achievement compared to a simple "a win for".