botta segreta

Literally “secret blow”.

• IPA^(key): /bot.ta .seɡˈre.ta/

botta segreta f (plural botte segrete)

1. (obsolete, fencing) A secret attack (that supposedly defeats any opponent).
   • 1750s, Carlo Goldoni, “Atto secondo, Scena XV [Second Act, Scene 15]”, in La dama prudente [The Careful Lady], collected in Raccolta di commedie scelte dell'avvocato C. Goldoni, tomo VII, published 1819, page 58–59:

     Ve la dico io: pretende il marchese avere una botta segreta, colla quale impegnando l’inimico a stendere il colpo senza potersi immediatamente rimettere, lo fa infilzar da se stesso nella spada dell’avversario.

     I'll tell you. The Marquis says he has a secret attack with which, by having the enemy deliver the blow without being able to immediately recover, makes him run himself through with the opponent's sword.

2. A clever move.

• → French: botte secrète (calque)