deus ex machina — an unexpected power or event that saves a seemingly hopeless situation, especially in a story or play
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: an unexpected power or event that saves a seemingly hopeless situation, especially in a story or play
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌdeɪəs eks ˈmækɪnə/
Example Sentences
- The movie's ending felt like a deus ex machina when aliens suddenly appeared to save Earth.
- My mom calling with pizza money right when I'm broke is like a deus ex machina.
- Critics argued that the superhero's last-minute appearance was a lazy deus ex machina.
deus ex machina
NOUN[/ˌdeɪəs eks ˈmækɪnə/]
an unexpected power or event that saves a seemingly hopeless situation, especially in a story or play
A deus ex machina divine hand saves condemned hero from certain death
At the edge of despair shines the deus ex machina's divine machinery on the theater stage — when hope seems lost, the mechanical god descends to save the day
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin, literally meaning 'god from the machine.' In ancient Greek and Roman theater, actors playing gods were lowered onto the stage by mechanical devices to resolve plot complications.
Breakdown
deus (god) + ex (from/out of) + machina (machine) = god from the machine
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The movie's ending felt like a deus ex machina when aliens suddenly appeared to save Earth.”
“My mom calling with pizza money right when I'm broke is like a deus ex machina.”
“Critics argued that the superhero's last-minute appearance was a lazy deus ex machina.”
“Finding a $20 bill in my old jacket was a deus ex machina for my coffee addiction.”
📚Related Words
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