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switcheroo

switcheroo

9 9.5
A sudden swap that surprises and tricks people
  • noun
  • /ˌswɪtʃəˈru/
  • Slang
translation icon : cambio inesperado
  • In a surprising switcheroo, the leading candidate was replaced just before the election.
  • pulled a switcheroo
  • the old switcheroo
  • a little switcheroo

That's a classic legal strategy, the old switcheroo.

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Examples

  • Unbeknownst to him and without his consent, they had pulled the old switcheroo: they took away everything and replaced it with the tawdry miniature of everything.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • And you didn't acknowledge the switcheroo.

    Blog text (12)
  • Yes, it's the switcheroo, all right.

  • Could you explain the switcheroo part again?

  • How about the old switcheroo?

  • This happening now is the old switcheroo.

    Blog text (10)
  • The old switcheroo is happening on every ranch around here.

  • And if pulling that kind of switcheroo on authors is possible, can other publishers do it too?

    Blog text (1)
  • I watched you and Ferguson do the old switcheroo.

  • I'd be a rube not to see the switcheroo.

    Blog text (9)

Synonyms

surprise
vsswitcheroo
738 1.0

An event that happens suddenly and is not expected

is a sudden exchange frequently done to trick or deceive people
turn
vsswitcheroo
343 3.4

A sudden change in a situation or story

is a sudden exchange especially done to surprise or trick people
twist
vsswitcheroo
232 4.1

A sudden change in a story or situation that surprises people

is a sudden exchange that usually aims to deceive others
switch
vsswitcheroo
153 3.2

A change from one thing or person to another

is the same act but typically sudden and often meant to deceive
turn of events
vsswitcheroo
35 4.1

A sudden change in a situation that makes plans or results different

is a sudden exchange that often hides deceptive intent
unexpected twist
vsswitcheroo
2 4.2

A surprising event in a story that changes the expected outcome

is a sudden exchange often meant to deceive rather than only surprise
changeup
vsswitcheroo
1 5.3

A sudden change in plan to surprise an opponent

is a sudden exchange often done to trick people broadly

Antonyms

363 3.1

Being steady and not likely to change

52 4.7

A situation where things stay the same or keep happening without big changes

Surface Forms

switcheroo singular
switcheroos plural

Morphology

switcheroo = switch (transparent) = switch + eroo

Formed from the common word 'switch' plus the colloquial suffix '-eroo'; the meaning 'a sudden change or exchange' is directly inferable.

Etymology

Switcheroo comes from the common word switch ('to change' or 'swap') plus a playful ending '-eroo' that makes it sound like a quick trick. So a switcheroo is an unexpected or surprising 'change' or 'swap', often done like a small trick.