deceptive cadence

In music, a deceptive cadence is a harmonic progression that creates an expectation of resolution but then deviates from it. Typically, a cadence involves a movement from a dominant chord (V) to a tonic chord (I), signaling the end of a musical phrase. However, a deceptive cadence, also known as an interrupted or false cadence, resolves the dominant chord to a different harmony instead of the expected tonic.12

Often, the submediant chord (VI) is used as the substitute for the tonic. This unexpected turn can be used to extend a musical phrase, create surprise, or lead into a new section of music. The term "cadence" itself comes from the Latin word cadere, meaning "to fall," and originally referred to a melodic descent.2