piece de resistance
The main attraction
The piece de resistance is the outstanding item in a collection or sequence—the main attraction.
Originally French for "piece of resistance," it typically refers to the finest dish in a meal or the climactic element of a performance or presentation: The chocolate soufflé was the piece de resistance.
Often italicized as a foreign phrase.
Greatest success attained
- magnum opusCreator's supreme achievement
- tour de forceExceptional feat of skill
- masterworkSupreme creative achievement
- crowning gloryGreatest achievement or hair
career highlight · pinnacle · culmination · triumph · defining moment · life's work · opus · classic
Most valued possession
- showpiecePrized display item
- highlightMost notable part
- star attractionFeatured highlight of show
- prized possessionHighly valued personal item
focal point · treasure · gem · jewel · flagship · showstopper · featured item · main attraction
Chef's most famous creation
- main coursePrimary dish served
- tasting menuCurated sequence of small courses
crowning achievement
Greatest success attained
- magnum opusCreator's supreme achievement
- tour de forceExceptional feat of skill
- masterworkSupreme creative achievement
crowning glory · career highlight · pinnacle · culmination · triumph · defining moment · life's work · opus · classic
crown jewel
Most valued possession
- showpiecePrized display item
- highlightMost notable part
- star attractionFeatured highlight of show
prized possession · focal point · treasure · gem · jewel · flagship · showstopper · featured item · main attraction · standout
signature dish
Chef's most famous creation
- main coursePrimary dish served
- tasting menuCurated sequence of small courses
- French Loanwordsa la carte, ballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit
- highlightshighlight, highlights, high point, spotlight, peak
- loanwordsloanword, loan words, borrowings, borrowed words, loan word
- top it offcap, crown, finish, complete, wrap up
piece de resistanceappetizer
Light dish preceding main
opener · hors d'oeuvre · amuse-bouche · starter · first course
piece de resistanceflop
Complete commercial failure
dud · fiasco · disaster · anticlimax · failure
piece de resistanceafterthought
Idea added belatedly
filler · minor detail · triviality · footnote · incidental
piece, pieces, resistance, masterpiece, mouthpiece, centerpiece, piecing, apiece, pieced