A sudden takeover is a type of hostile takeover, which is when one company acquires another without the target company's consent. In this case, the term 'COUP' is used to describe the takeover, which is a French word meaning 'BLOW' or 'STROKE'. A COUP is usually a surprise attack that is intended to overthrow a government or other authority. In the context of a sudden takeover, it refers to the surprise acquisition of a company by another.