what a coup

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a coup" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express admiration or excitement about a significant achievement or success, often in a political or strategic context. Example: "Winning the election was quite a coup for the new party, surprising everyone in the political landscape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"What a coup.

The New Yorker

But what a coup for Knightley.

The Guardian

I didn't know what a coup was.

The New York Times

Is this really what a coup looks like?

The New Yorker

What a coup it would be to set that on the table.

The New York Times - Food

What a coup for Uniqlo and what a coat for us.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

What was Allan Dulles's role, What is a coup d'etat?

HuffPost

What a brilliant coup!

The Guardian - Opinion

But what a brilliant coup.

The Guardian - Film

We know what a military coup looks like.

The Washington Post

"What is a coup?" he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a coup" to express excitement or admiration when someone achieves something remarkable, especially through clever strategy or skillful maneuvering.

Common error

Avoid using "what a coup" to describe ordinary achievements. The phrase implies a significant and often unexpected success, not just any positive outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a coup" functions primarily as an exclamatory expression, conveying strong admiration or excitement about a notable achievement or strategic success. Ludwig highlights that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, indicating its recognized function in the language.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Lifestyle

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a coup" is a grammatically sound and frequently used exclamatory phrase that expresses strong approval for a significant achievement, especially one involving clever strategy. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its usage is particularly common in news and media contexts, but it maintains a generally neutral register. While alternatives like ""what an achievement"" or ""what a victory"" exist, "what a coup" specifically highlights the strategic or unexpected nature of the success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what an achievement

Focuses on the accomplishment itself, without necessarily implying a strategic advantage.

what a triumph

Emphasizes the victory aspect, often in the face of adversity.

what a victory

Highlights the win, but may not fully capture the strategic element.

what a breakthrough

Suggests overcoming a significant obstacle or challenge.

what a masterstroke

Implies exceptional skill and clever planning in achieving the result.

what a feat

Highlights the remarkable nature of the accomplishment, often due to difficulty.

what a success

Broadly indicates a positive outcome, lacking the specific nuance of "coup".

what a stroke of genius

Attributes the achievement to remarkable intellect and inspiration.

what a strategic move

Emphasizes the calculated nature of the action, potentially downplaying other aspects of the achievement.

what a brilliant move

Highlights the cleverness and effectiveness of the action.

FAQs

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

You can use "what a coup" to express admiration for a significant achievement, particularly one involving strategy or skill. For example, "Hiring that executive was "what a coup" for the company!"

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

You can use alternatives like "what an achievement", "what a triumph", or "what a victory" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "what a coup"?

"What a coup" is most appropriate when describing a strategic victory or a significant achievement that requires clever maneuvering. It's less suitable for describing simple successes.

Is "what a coup" formal or informal?

"What a coup" is generally considered informal, but it can be used in a variety of contexts, including news and media. Its appropriateness depends on the specific audience and the overall tone of the communication.