plot twist

Meaning

A plot twist is an unexpected development in a book, movie, or television show that radically changes the direction or outcome of the story. In casual conversation, people also use it metaphorically to describe a sudden, surprising turn of events in real life.

Examples

• The movie had an incredible plot twist at the end that I never saw coming.

  The movie had an incredible plot twist at the end that I never saw coming.

• Don't ruin the plot twist for me; I haven't watched the finale yet.

  Don't ruin the plot twist for me; I haven't watched the finale yet.

• Just when we thought the mystery was solved, a major plot twist changed everything.

  Just when we thought the mystery was solved, a major plot twist changed everything.

• The story was quite predictable until a sudden plot twist kept me on the edge of my seat.

  The story was quite predictable until a sudden plot twist kept me on the edge of my seat.

• We planned to go to the beach, but in a strange plot twist, it started snowing.

  We planned to go to the beach, but in a strange plot twist, it started snowing.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ There was a big change of history in the movie.

  ✓ There was a big plot twist in the movie.

  In English, we do not say 'change of history' or 'change of story' for narrative surprises; we use the specific term 'plot twist'.

• ✗ The book has a very twisted plot.

  ✓ The book has a great plot twist.

  While 'a twisted plot' is grammatically correct, it means the plot is complicated, dark, or weird. If you mean a sudden narrative surprise, use 'plot twist'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I didn't expect the main character to be the villain—what a ___!

  💡 An unexpected change in the story.

  Show answer

  plot twist

• A good mystery novel always needs a solid ___ to keep readers guessing.

  💡 A sudden turn of events.

  Show answer

  plot twist