WordValein medias res
beginning a story in the middle of the action
In more detail
(idiom) starting in the middle of a story or event, rather than at the beginning; jumping into the action without introduction or background information
Examples
- The film begins in medias res, with the main character already fleeing from danger.
How to use in medias res
This Latin phrase is used in literary and rhetorical contexts to describe a narrative technique where the story or action begins without preamble or exposition. It conveys a sense of immediacy and engagement by thrusting the audience directly into ongoing events. The term is particularly common in discussions of storytelling, film, and classical literature.
Common phrases
- plunge in medias res
- jump in medias res
- start in medias res
- begin in medias res
- narrative in medias res
Synonyms
in the thick of things · in the middle of things · midway through · partway through
Opposites
ab initio · from the beginning · from the start
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse the phrase with similar-sounding Latin expressions or mispronounce it as 'in media res' (singular instead of plural); the correct form is in medias res.
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