coup

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count coup

To detail one's successes or achievements in battle, as of Native American tribes. Tonight, we will gather to count coup.
See also: count, coup

coup de grâce

An action or event that brings a swift end to suffering or a worsening situation. The phrase is French for "blow of mercy." The samurai delivered a merciful coup de grâce to his mortally wounded enemy. The large class action lawsuit was the coup de grâce that caused the failing company to finally go out of business.
See also: coup, DE, grace
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

count coup

Among certain Native American peoples, to ceremoniously recount one's exploits in battle.
See also: count, coup
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

coup de grâce

Finishing stroke. The phrase is French for “blow of mercy,” a death blow administered to end a wounded person’s suffering. It probably originated in dueling or other sword fighting and had been adopted into English by about 1700 and was already being used figuratively for the finishing stroke for any kind of enterprise. For example, “He carefully placed the figures of bride and groom on top of the cake, the coup de grâce for an artistic creation.”
See also: coup, DE, grace
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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References in periodicals archive ?
Summary: Kenan Evren, the general who led a coup in Turkey in 1980, will give a statement next week to prosecutors investigating the putsch and the killings and arrests which followed it, media reports said Thursday.
Leader of 1980 coup in Turkey to testify in probe
Military intervention in the guidance or orientation of Turkey's political life has been demonstrated in several different ways, but most notably through military coups. Turkey's generals have derived the legal legitimacy of military coups from Article 35 of the military service law that gives the military establishment the right to intervene to protect the six principles of the Turkish Republic (six arrows) when they seem to be violated.
Coup in Turkey and Egypt: internal and external dynamics
History of military coups in Sudan begins from Abboud's coup of November 17th 1958 to Nimeiri's 25th May 1969, Al-Bashir's 30 June 1989, the series that does not break and two popular revolutions in 21st October 1964 and in April 1985 and Followed by a third revolution on December 19, 2018.
Sudanese generals are no stranger to coup d'etats and attempts
He added that terrorists, who were hiding in the army and, of course, they were members of the Fethullah Gulen movement, rather than the military, were behind the military coup attempt in Turkey.
Turkey repeatedly faced military coups
(3) This paper aims to contribute to such reports in order to do justice to the many women who played a key role in suppressing the coup attempt against the elected government of Turkey.
Cornerstones of July 15: Women who are more powerful than tanks
In another demonstration of unity after the coup, which was staged by a faction within the armed forces, the head of Turkey's air force issued a rare statement stressing "absolute obedience" to the chief of the military General Staff.
Turkey's ruling, opposition parties rally together after coup
The attempted military coup that shook Turkey on Friday was far closer than many realize to seizing state power.
Why the coup in Turkey failed
The people of Turkey deserve to be complimented for coming out into the streets and face military tanks and artillery with bare hands to force the coup makers run, he said in a statement.
Bilawal condemns attempted coup in Turkey
As the evidence about theft, corruption and bribery soared, the AKP government and Erdoy-an regime came up with other types of "coups d'etat" in their minds.
The end of the era of coups in Turkey
Binay, was one of the trusted men of the late President Corazon Aquino who faced several coup attempts.
Binay on coup rumors: 'Our job carries risks'
A l'issue de cette journee, le Marocain Younes El Hassani, 9e la veille, chute au 15e rang (70 coups).
Finale du Mena Golf Tour 2013 (2e tour): Faycal Serghini reste leader
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iranian Parliament's Human Rights Commission in a statement on Sunday condemned London's role in masterminding the 1953 coup and the 2009 post-election unrests in Iran.
Iranian Legislature Condemns UkaACAOs Role in 1953 Coup, 2009 Post-Election Unrests
The basis of the collapse we are seeing today in the three centers, Egypt, Syria, and Iraq, is the military coups that those countries discovered early on.
Look for the Coup
A SPRUCED-UP range of Audi coups is on the way, featuring subtle style changes and revamped engines .
Higher fives from Audi
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