wind-up

plural wind-ups · alternative windup

1. The end or conclusion of something.

   Everyone is invited to our end-of-term wind-up party.

   2 more examples

   The wind-up is, that the father becomes bankrupt; the wife and daughters town-traders; the sons Greeks, Fancy-swells, Conveyancers (pickpockets), or Cracksmen (house breakers), and the New Drop is the last drop they ever take.

   1822, A Morning in Cork-Street: or, Raising the wind, page 102

   After this long windup, Smith says, “Is there a question there, your honor?” He says it not in an evasive way, but with a smile.

   2017 October 3, Mark Walsh, “A “view” from the courtroom: A big windup on partisan gerrymandering”, in SCOTUSblog

2. The punch line of a joke or comedy routine.
3. UKA humorous attempt to fool somebody; a practical joke in which the victim is encouraged to believe something untrue.

   "Is this a wind-up, or what?" "No, no, it's true. He can really do it."

   1999, Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? (film)

4. ball gamesThe phase of making a pitch where the pitcher moves his or her arm backwards before throwing the ball.

   He's into his wind-up. Here comes the pitch. Strike on the inside corner!

   1975: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (movie)

5. broadcastingA circular hand gesture, supposed to represent the winding on of film, used to signal to a performer to finish quickly.

alternative windup

1. not comparableOf a machine, requiring winding up in order to function.

   Maybe you could get a wind-up toy to distract him.

   1997, Daria (TV, episode 1.07)