sur le coup

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at the time, there and then
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العربية الفصحى
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/syʁ lə ku/
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At the very moment something happens.
Practice using sur le coup in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Il a accepté sur le coup, sans réfléchir.
    He agreed there and then, without thinking.
  • Sur le coup, la nouvelle nous a tous surpris.
    At that moment, the news surprised us all.
  • Sur le coup, je n’ai pas compris sa réaction.
    At the time, I did not understand his reaction.
  • Elle était furieuse sur le coup, puis elle s’est calmée.
    She was furious at first, then she calmed down.
  • Je n’ai rien senti sur le coup.
    I felt nothing at the time.

Similar words

immédiatement
à cet instant
sur le moment

Meanings

At the time of an event

time
neutral
At the moment an event happens or immediately afterward, often before one has had time to reflect.

Examples

  • Sur le coup, je n’ai pas compris sa réaction.
    At the time, I did not understand his reaction.
  • Elle était furieuse sur le coup, puis elle s’est calmée.
    She was furious at first, then she calmed down.
  • Je n’ai rien senti sur le coup.
    I felt nothing at the time.
  • Il a accepté sur le coup, sans réfléchir.
    He agreed there and then, without thinking.
  • Sur le coup, la nouvelle nous a tous surpris.
    At that moment, the news surprised us all.

Similar words

sur le moment
à cet instant
immédiatement

Etymology

Literally “on the blow”: sur means “on”, le means “the”, and coup means a blow or sudden occurrence; the phrase points to the instant of impact.

FAQ

What does sur le coup mean?

It means at the time something happened or immediately afterward.

Can it describe an immediate reaction?

Yes, especially one that may change after reflection.

Is it the same as après coup?

No. Après coup refers to a later perspective.

How is sur le coup written?

As three separate words, without hyphens.

Does sur le coup mean “suddenly”?

No. It points to the time of an event rather than how abruptly it began.

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