trope
Say it: TROHP /trəʊp/ · noun
What “trope” means
A familiar idea or storytelling device used in many works.
More precisely: A common theme, device or figure of speech, often overused.
Example: “The enemies-to-lovers trope never seems to get old.”
When to use it
When talking about recognisable story ingredients, often casually, whether you enjoy them or think they've been used too often.
Similar words
convention, cliché, device
Where it comes from
Greek tropos, 'turn'.
Quick check
You keep finding stories where a seemingly ordinary child turns out to be the chosen saviour. What is this recurring device?
a trope or a plot hole?
Show the answer
a trope
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