What does coup in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word coup in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use coup in French.

The word coup in French means knock, punch, thump, shot, stroke, fit, deal, trick, time, drink, shag, blow, blow, punch, stroke, shot, stroke, shot, without fail, definitely, by way of , by means of, through a great deal of, fits and starts, jolt, splutter, feel the effects, impulse buy, crackdown, clampdown, act in anger, do in anger, sacrifice bunt, later, afterwards, afterwardsness, deferred action, get sunburned, one by one, on an ad hoc basis, on a case by case basis, at first glance, gale warning, have the knack, know exactly how to do, be good at drawing, be a big eater, be a good cyclist, be good at art, be one step ahead, be drunk, feel tired all of a sudden, feel down, feel depressed, be taken with, fall madly in love with, feel weak, feel tired all of a sudden, have one for the road, have a drink, good shot, nice shot, good lay, It's a wasted effort, It's a waste of time, it's worth it, that's worth it, it's worth doing, it's worth a look, that's worth a look, this time, blank gunshot, dry run, below the belt, low blow, cheap shot, cross-court shot, approach shot, stop, halt, stunt, kick-off, flogging a dead horse, trial run, dummy run, coup d'état, look, glance, peep, quick glance, one-night stand, wave of a magic wand, sweep, clean sweep, sunstroke, sudden exhaustion, sudden feeling of exhaustion, attack of exhaustion, hard, turn to, turn towards, stroke of the cane, stroke of the stick, water hammer, d***, bluff, stroke of luck, head-butt, headbutt, rush, hurry, verbal assault, verbal attack, assault, brush, blues, low spirits, infidelity, cannon shot, heatstroke, stroke of luck, hats off, hot flush, hot spell, warm spell, dust, snip of the scissors, favourite, firm favourite, fit of anger, butt, nudge, stab, knife blow, knife in the back, stroke of a pen, stroke of a pencil, depression, roll of the dice, throw of the dice, sudden tiredness, gunshot, action stations, call, phone call, good haul, good catch, moment of madness, moment of folly, whim, impulse, coup de force, love at first sight, lightning strike. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word coup

knock

nom masculin (résultat d'un choc)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le garçon est tombé et le coup lui a fait mal.
The boy fell and the knock hurt him.

punch, thump

nom masculin (choc brutal, frappe)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Au plus fort de la bagarre, les insultes et les coups pleuvaient.
At the height of the brawl, insults and punches were raining down.

shot

nom masculin (détonation d'une arme à feu)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
On entendit trois coups de fusil.
We heard three gunshots.

stroke

nom masculin (mouvement rapide)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le dessinateur a dressé mon portrait en quelques coups rapides de crayon.
The sketch artist did my portrait with a few rapid strokes of his pencil.

fit

nom masculin (accès irrépréssible de [qch])

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il a dû dire cela sous le coup de la colère.
He must have said that in a fit of anger.

deal

nom masculin (affaire organisée à l'avance)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il ne sait pas si tu étais dans le coup ou pas.
He didn't know if you were in on the deal or not.

trick

nom masculin (péjoratif (action déplaisante) (informal, figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cette demande, c'est encore un coup du service budget.
This request is another trick of the budget department's.

time

nom masculin (familier (fois, occurrence)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce coup-ci, c'est toi qui m'invites, mais la prochaine, ce sera moi !
It's your treat this time, but next time it's on me!

drink

nom masculin (familier (boisson alcoolisée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Allez, reste boire un coup.
Go on stay - have a drink.

shag

nom masculin (familier (partenaire sexuel) (UK, slang, vulgar)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Alors, c'était un bon coup hier soir ?
So, did you have a good shag last night?

blow

nom masculin (figuré (choc émotionnel) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'annonce de son divorce fut un coup pour ses parents.
The news of his divorce was a blow for his parents.

blow, punch

nom masculin (Boxe,... : attaque)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Dans ce sport, les coups au-dessous de la ceinture ne sont pas permis.
In this sport, blows beneath the belt are not allowed.

stroke

nom masculin (Sports, Jeux : action)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Je suis sûre que je peux mettre la bille dans le trou en trois coups. Mon oncle n'est pas très fort aux échecs et je peux facilement anticiper tous ses coups.
My uncle isn't very good at chess and I can easily anticipate all his moves.

shot

nom masculin (Tennis,... : mouvement de raquette) (tennis, etc.)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Pour être un bon joueur de tennis, il faut savoir maîtriser tous les types de coups. Mon coup préféré au badminton est l'amorti.

stroke

nom masculin (son d'horloge) (of a clock)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le médecin arriva lorsque les 12 coups de minuit retentissaient.

shot

nom masculin (munition : balle)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce revolver est un six coups.
You can fire 10 shots with this gun.

without fail, definitely

locution adverbiale (avec certitude)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Cette championne conservera son titre à coup sûr.
This champion will retain her title without fail.

by way of , by means of

(à l'aide de)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Le patron voulait moderniser son usine à coup de mécanique et d'électronique.
The manager wanted to modernize his factory by way of mechanization and electronification.

through a great deal of

(en utilisant beaucoup de [qch])

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ce producteur essaie de faire connaître ses produits à grand coup de publicité.

fits and starts

nom masculin (saccade)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Il faut régler le ralenti de ce moteur, il rencontre des à-coups.

jolt, splutter

nom masculin (incident malencontreux)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Avec cette grève, leurs vacances ont connu quelques à-coups.

feel the effects

locution verbale (être atteint par quelque chose)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

impulse buy

nom masculin (achat impulsif)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les commerciaux comptent souvent sur les achats coup de cœur.

crackdown, clampdown

nom féminin (figuré (action énergique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Pour lutter contre la drogue, la police a organisé une action coup de poing dans ce quartier louche.

act in anger, do in anger

locution verbale (agir en étant énervé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Excuse-moi d'être parti en claquant la porte, j'ai agi sous le coup de la colère.

sacrifice bunt

nom masculin (baseball : action par un "frappeur") (baseball)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

later, afterwards

locution adverbiale (ensuite)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Paul n'a rien senti au moment de sa chute mais après coup il a eu une terrible douleur à l'épaule.
Paul did not feel a thing at the time he fell, but later he had a terrible pain in his shoulder.

afterwardsness, deferred action

nom masculin (processus psychanalytique) (psychoanalysis)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'après-coup est une réaction qui se manifeste entre un et 3 jours après un événement marquant.

get sunburned

locution verbale (avoir la peau brûlée par le soleil)

Pour ne pas attraper de coup de soleil, mieux vaut éviter d'aller à la plage entre midi et 4 heures.

one by one, on an ad hoc basis, on a case by case basis

locution adverbiale (de façon ponctuelle)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

at first glance

locution adverbiale (immédiatement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

gale warning

nom masculin (bulletin d'avertissement météo) (weather)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

have the knack, know exactly how to do

locution verbale (bien savoir faire [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Jeanne est une grande cuisinière, elle a le coup pour réussir les sauces les plus difficiles.

be good at drawing

locution verbale (bien dessiner)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be a big eater

locution verbale (familier (manger copieusement)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
He just shovels it down.

be a good cyclist

locution verbale (familier (vélo : pédaler vite)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be good at art

locution verbale (savoir dessiner)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
À 10 ans, cet artiste avait déjà un bon coup de pinceau.

be one step ahead

locution verbale (anticiper l'action de l'adversaire)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be drunk

locution verbale (familier (être ivre)

feel tired all of a sudden

locution verbale (familier (éprouver une fatigue subite)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

feel down, feel depressed

locution verbale (familier (déprimer)

Entre ses soucis au travail et les mauvais résultats scolaires de son fils, Pierre a un coup de bleues.

be taken with

locution verbale (être emballé par)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le jury a eu un coup de cœur pour le septième candidat. J'ai eu un coup de cœur pour cette robe, que je me suis achetée malgré mon budget serré.
ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. When I started running, I thought I'd hate it, but, in fact, I was bitten by the running bug.

fall madly in love with

locution verbale (tomber amoureux)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

feel weak

locution verbale (familier (éprouver une fatigue subite)

feel tired all of a sudden

locution verbale (familier (être soudainement fatigué)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Je me suis activée toute la matinée mais sur les coups de midi, j'ai eu un coup de pompe et je suis allée m'asseoir un peu.

have one for the road

locution verbale (familier, vieilli (boire avant de partir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have a drink

locution verbale (boire [qch])

good shot, nice shot

nom masculin (bonne opération) (sports)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Nous avons réalisé un bon coup en rachetant cette entreprise.

good lay

nom masculin (vulgaire (bon partenaire sexuel) (slightly vulgar)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cette petite Espagnole était un bon coup.

It's a wasted effort, It's a waste of time

(ça ne fait pas avancer les choses)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it's worth it, that's worth it

(être intéressant)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Oui, le mandarin, c’est difficile, mais ça ouvre plein de portes alors je pense que tu devrais l'apprendre, ça vaut le coup ! Avec cette carte de fidélité, tu économises 50 % sur tes achats : ça vaut le coup !

it's worth doing

(être intéressant de faire [qch])

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ce n'est pas sûr que ton grand-père te prête de l'argent mais ça vaut le coup de lui demander.

it's worth a look, that's worth a look

(cela mérite l'attention)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Les gorges du Tarn, ça vaut le coup d'œil !

this time

locution adverbiale (familier (cette fois-ci)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Contrairement à la dernière fois, ils ont prévenu ce coup-ci.

blank gunshot

nom masculin (tir avec balle à blanc)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

dry run

nom masculin (figuré (essai)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

below the belt

nom masculin (Boxe (frappe en dessous de la ceinture) (Boxing)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

low blow, cheap shot

nom masculin (figuré (attaque déloyale) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
That was below the belt.

cross-court shot

nom masculin (Sports : balle en diagonale du terrain) (tennis)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Après plusieurs coups croisés, la Française a fait un grand coup décroisé qui a laissé son adversaire à plusieurs mètres de la balle.

approach shot

nom masculin (golf : coup pour se rapprocher) (golf)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

stop, halt

nom masculin (interruption)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

stunt

nom masculin (acte imprévu)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

kick-off

nom masculin (commencement)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le coup d'envoi du match aura lieu à 18 h mais nous prendrons l'antenne dès 17 h 15.
The kick-off is at six o'clock but the match coverage will start at a quarter past five.

flogging a dead horse

(acte inutile) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

trial run, dummy run

nom masculin (tentative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

coup d'état

nom masculin (putsch, renversement de régime) (Gallicism)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'histoire de ce pays fut rythmée de coups d'État.
The history of this country has been punctuated by coups d'état.

look, glance, peep

nom masculin (figuré (observation rapide)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Un simple coup d'œil permet de savoir si le problème est d'origine accidentelle ou non.
It only takes a glance to see whether or not the cause of the problem is accidental.

quick glance

nom masculin (observation succincte)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

one-night stand

nom masculin (très familier (partenaire sexuel ponctuel)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

wave of a magic wand

nom masculin (arrangement irréaliste)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

sweep

nom masculin (ménage)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

clean sweep

nom masculin (figuré (réforme, remise en ordre) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

sunstroke

nom masculin (familier (insolation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le soleil tape fort par ici, alors attention au coup de bambou !

sudden exhaustion, sudden feeling of exhaustion

nom masculin (familier (brusque fatigue)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

attack of exhaustion

nom masculin (fatigue passagère)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Après s'être donné à fond pendant deux jours, il eut un coup de barre !
After giving his all for two days, he had an attack of exhaustion.

hard

nom masculin (brusque changement de cap)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Le timonier mit un coup de barre à tribord pour éviter la collision.
The helmsman steered hard to starboard to avoid the collision.

turn to, turn towards

nom masculin (figuré (brusque changement de politique) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le gouvernement a décidé d'un grand coup de barre à droite dans sa politique sociale.
The government has decided on a big turn towards the right in its social policy.

stroke of the cane, stroke of the stick

nom masculin (figuré (élan stimulant)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Son professeur lui donne un coup de bâton pour lui faire comprendre qu'il peut réussir ses examens.

water hammer

nom masculin (surpression d'eau)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les coups de bélier sont provoqués par des bulles d'air dans la tuyauterie.

d***

nom masculin (vulgaire (rapport sexuel, pénétration) (uncountable, vulgar, slang)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

bluff

nom masculin (tentative d'intimidation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

stroke of luck

nom masculin (familier (chance)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

head-butt, headbutt

nom masculin (familier (frappe de la tête sur une tête)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Attention, tu vas prendre un coup de boule.

rush, hurry

nom masculin (période d'intense activité)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

verbal assault, verbal attack

nom masculin (figuré (paroles brusques et violentes)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

assault

nom masculin (attaque violente de l'ennemi)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

brush

nom masculin (coiffage à la brosse)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

blues, low spirits

nom masculin (découragement, idées noires)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Ces ennuis successifs lui ont donné un coup de cafard.

infidelity

nom masculin (argot (rapport sexuel extraconjugal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Pierre a couché avec sa secrétaire, c'est son premier coup de canif dans le contrat.

cannon shot

nom masculin (tir de canon)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

heatstroke

nom masculin (hyperthermie)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Exposés au soleil aux heures les plus chaudes de la journée, ils ont attrapé un coup de chaleur.

stroke of luck

nom féminin (sort ponctuellement favorable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
C'est un coup de chance qu'une dépanneuse soit passée par là.
It is a stroke of luck that a tow truck came by.

hats off

nom masculin (félicitation)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
En signe d'hommage, nous donnons un coup de chapeau à l'artiste.
The artist did a fantastic job - hats off to her!

hot flush

nom masculin (sensation de forte chaleur)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

hot spell, warm spell

nom masculin (période à forte température)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

dust

nom masculin (nettoyage avec un chiffon)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

snip of the scissors

nom masculin (coupe rapide)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

favourite, firm favourite

nom masculin (brusque emballement) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce reportage est le coup de cœur de la rédaction.
This report is the editorial board's firm favourite.

fit of anger

nom masculin (énervement passager)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

butt

nom masculin (coup porté avec une corne)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

nudge

nom masculin (frappe avec le coude)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

stab, knife blow

nom masculin (attaque avec une lame)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il est arrivé aux urgences à cause d'un coup de couteau au ventre.
He arrived in A&E with a stab wound to his stomach.

knife in the back

nom masculin (figuré (trahison)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cette déclaration lui a fait l'effet d'un coup de couteau dans le dos.

stroke of a pen, stroke of a pencil

nom masculin (aisance à dessiner)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

depression

nom masculin (familier (baisse de moral subite)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Avec ses problèmes au travail et ses amis qui lui tournent le dos, Paul a un coup de déprime.

roll of the dice, throw of the dice

nom masculin (hasard, chance)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

sudden tiredness

nom masculin (épuisement subit)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Après ces journées longues et épuisantes, Pierre a un coup de fatigue.

gunshot

nom masculin (détonation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Dans le silence de la nuit, tout le monde entendit deux coups de feu.
In the silence of the night everyone heard two gunshots.

action stations

nom masculin (familier (période d'intense activité) (figurative)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
À midi, dans les cuisines du restaurant, c'est le coup de feu.
At lunch time in the restaurant kitchens it is all hands on deck.

call, phone call

nom masculin (appel téléphonique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il y a eu 5 coups de fil pendant notre absence.
There were five calls whilst we were out.

good haul, good catch

nom masculin (figuré (arrestation massive)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

moment of madness, moment of folly

nom masculin (folie passagère)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

whim, impulse

nom masculin (envie non maîtrisée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

coup de force

nom masculin (fait violent illégal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le coup d'état du 18 brumaire fut un coup de force de Bonaparte.

love at first sight

nom masculin (figuré (amour)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Entre Romain et Julie, ce fut le coup de foudre.
It was love at first sight between Romeo and Juliet.

lightning strike

nom masculin (chose : chute de foudre)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'arbre a subi un coup de foudre lors de l'orage.
The tree suffered a lightning strike during the storm.

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French (le français) is a Romance language. Like Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, it comes from popular Latin, once used in the Roman Empire. A French-speaking person or country can be called a "Francophone". French is the official language in 29 countries. French is the fourth most spoken native language in the European Union. French ranks third in the EU, after English and German, and is the second most widely taught language after English. The majority of the world's French-speaking population lives in Africa, with about 141 million Africans from 34 countries and territories who can speak French as a first or second language. French is the second most widely spoken language in Canada, after English, and both are official languages at the federal level. It is the first language of 9.5 million people or 29% and the second language of 2.07 million people or 6% of the entire population of Canada. In contrast to other continents, French has no popularity in Asia. Currently, no country in Asia recognizes French as an official language.