The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word COUP
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
C
O
U
P
More clues leading to the result COUP
- Trophy sealing Oran’s first great success
- Business enterprise completed takeover
- Firm doing better as result of masterstroke
- Ahead after business takeover
- What may go off with a bang? Let off pair
- Stroke, making murmuring sound
- Successful manoeuvre sees military leader winning
- Stroke trophy containing nothing
- Company leading hostile takeover
- Stroke made by Oxbridge printing house?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "masterstroke" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case masterstroke = coup.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does COUP mean?
COUP noun- A quick, brilliant, and highly successful act.
- (of Native Americans) A blow against an enemy delivered in a way that shows bravery.
- A coup d'état.
- (by extension) A takeover of one group by another.
- A single roll of the wheel at roulette, or a deal in rouge et noir.
- One of various named strategies employed by the declarer to win more tricks, such as the Bath coup.
- To make a coup.