Literally "God from the machine", Deus Ex Machina originally referred to Greek plays, where the "gods" would be lowered onto the stage in order to provide a quick resolution to the story. Today, Deus Ex Machina refers to any improbably and/or overly convenient character or mechanism that comes out of nowhere saves the character(s) from their doom.
For a hilarious send-up of Deus Ex Machina, check out the spaceship scene in Monty Python's Life of Brian.
by Gazuga April 26, 2004
Get the Deus Ex Machina mug.by Mr. Doubaley February 5, 2010
Get the Machinimate mug.Related Words
Situation in which one escapes by means noone could distinctly or indirectly predict.
Plot device in which the author makes up stupid shit to save his character.
Plot device in which the author makes up stupid shit to save his character.
None needed.
by larstait October 8, 2003
Get the Deus Ex Machina mug.A segué which suggests that the topic of conversation being moved to, is related to the one being moved from, when in fact they are entirely unrelated.
Person A: Nice weather we're having today, is it not?
Person B: Yes, quite, and speaking of the weather; where's that £5 you owe me?
Here, "And speaking of the weather," is the Deus Segué Machina.
Person B: Yes, quite, and speaking of the weather; where's that £5 you owe me?
Here, "And speaking of the weather," is the Deus Segué Machina.
by oobilyboo October 2, 2011
Get the Deus Segué Machina mug.Someone who suddenly and without warning, enters an area such as a party, and immediately ruins the mood for everyone else.
The party was really great, until that douche ex machina John showed up and started acting like an asshole like he always does.
by Sarah Bellum June 12, 2008
Get the douche ex machina mug.Also known as: sickness in the machine
Getting sick and not having to attend school/work. If its an infectious but non painful disease this is usually seen as a win/win situation. If it is non infectious but physically limiting one begins to question if it was worth it. Generally it refers to the former.
Getting sick and not having to attend school/work. If its an infectious but non painful disease this is usually seen as a win/win situation. If it is non infectious but physically limiting one begins to question if it was worth it. Generally it refers to the former.
Worker 1: Wow, he got sick right before the meeting
Worker 2: I know, thats a real case of Flu ex machina right there
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Student 1: Did you hear mat got sick today? He's so lucky, we have a project due and two tests.
Student 2: Yeah except he's throwing up every 30 minutes and is within an inch of his life.
Student 1: Oh...
Worker 2: I know, thats a real case of Flu ex machina right there
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Student 1: Did you hear mat got sick today? He's so lucky, we have a project due and two tests.
Student 2: Yeah except he's throwing up every 30 minutes and is within an inch of his life.
Student 1: Oh...
by hchambers November 10, 2011
Get the Flu ex machina mug.A term to be used whenever flex tape can be used to fix something unusual in a particular situation.
by Rogue_Baron February 26, 2019
Get the deus flex machina mug.