pièce de résistance
5
9.2
- noun
- /piˈɛs də reɪzɪˈstɑ̃/
- Formal
:
pieza maestra
- His mother had an unfailing eye for singling out the pièce de résistance.
Examples
-
But the pièce de résistance was the ten-thousand-pound statue of Christ carrying the cross.
Fiction book (2001) -
At the banquet, the pièce de résistance was the elegantly prepared seafood platter that wowed all the guests.
-
And this is the pièce de résistance.
-
But when she opened her mouth, it was the pièce de résistance to Design Care 2012.
Blog text (14) -
This was their pièce de résistance.
Fiction book (1996) -
Though the pig was the evening's pièce de résistance, I managed to resist.
Academic text (2000) -
And for dessert, the pièce de résistance, la bombe surprise.
-
Showcasing Thai at its best, we have the pièce de résistance: the Penang curry.
Blog text (22) -
The pièce de résistance of the evening was the stunning fireworks display.
-
Her chocolate cake, with its rich flavor and perfect frosting, was the pièce de résistance of the party.
Synonyms
169
3.2
The most exciting or memorable part of an event
53
1.7
A dish offered on the menu for a short time
48
4.5
The most important part of a plan or project
5
4.4
The best or most impressive thing on display
1
2.1
The best part of a trip that people remember most
1
5.5
An item in a collection that people value most
1
3.0
The most exciting and memorable part of a party
How Outstanding
156
3.8
- Formal
5
9.2
- US
48
4.5
169
3.2
566
2.5
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
pièce + de + résistance
This is a French borrowing whose literal parts ('pièce' = piece, 'de' = of, 'résistance' = resistance) do not transparently yield the sense 'most important or outstanding part'; the idiomatic, conventionalized meaning in English is historically derived and not predictable from the constituents. Even if a B1 learner knew the literal words, they would not reliably infer the idiomatic meaning, so the expression is opaque.
Etymology
Pièce de résistance comes from French: pièce means 'piece' and résistance suggests something that stands out. It was used for the main or final dish at a meal that caught everyone's attention, so today it means the 'most important or impressive part' of something.