abrupt transition
Jarring scene change
An abrupt transition is a sudden shift from one thing to another without gradual change or warning.
The phrase appears in discussions of writing, film editing, music, or any sequence where smoothness is expected: The abrupt transition from comedy to tragedy jarred viewers.
It can also describe life changes: an abrupt transition from student to breadwinner.
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- jarringDisturbingly incongruous
- hard cutImmediate scene transition
- shiftMovement or work period
- joltAbrupt forceful shake
sharp · cutaway · jump · scene change · discontinuity · snap · record scratch · swerve · break · lurch · whiplash · splice · cold open · pivot · tone shift · disruption · shock · segue
abrupt, abruptly, abruptness, transit, transition, transitional, transitions, transitory, transient