deus ex machina

• Expression latine signifiant « dieu sorti d'une machine », utilisée pour désigner un dénouement inattendu, artificiel ou peu vraisemblable dans une intrigue, souvent introduit soudainement pour résoudre un problème apparemment insoluble.

A Latin phrase meaning 'god from the machine,' used to describe an unexpected, artificial, or improbable resolution to a story's conflict, often introduced suddenly to solve a seemingly unsolvable problem.

1. Unexpected resolutionC1formal

   An unexpected power or event that saves a seemingly hopeless situation, especially as a contrived plot device in a story.

   Dénouement artificiel

   • The hero's sudden rescue by a passing helicopter felt like a deus ex machina.
   • Critics accused the author of using a deus ex machina to resolve the conflict.
   • The last-minute inheritance was a classic deus ex machina ending.