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plot twist

an unexpected turn in the story

In Literary English

In more detail

(expression) a sudden, unexpected change in the story of a movie, book, play, or other narrative that surprises the audience or reader

Examples

• The movie had a great plot twist when it was revealed that the villain was actually the main character's brother.

How to use plot twist

A plot twist is a sudden reversal or revelation in a narrative that challenges the audience's expectations and understanding of the story. It is commonly used in discussions of films, books, and television shows, and can range from subtle to dramatic. The term is casual and popular in entertainment discourse, often used to discuss or anticipate surprising narrative developments without revealing them.

Register: informal

Common phrases

• major plot twist
• shocking plot twist
• an unexpected plot twist
• the plot twist reveals
• plot twist ending

Synonyms

surprising turn of events · unexpected development · narrative surprise · dramatic revelation · twist ending

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use 'plot twist' to mean any surprising event in real life, when it properly refers only to narrative fiction; also, some treat it as a technique to be overused rather than strategically deployed for genuine impact.

Nearby in Literary English

oxymoron, pen name, personification, point of view, prologue, pun

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained