From the incontrovertible Wikipedia: the word "Thermidor" has come to mean a retreat from more radical goals and strategies during a revolution, especially when caused by a replacement of leading personalities.
...Just giving some background to those of you who, like me, did not study French history, but crave complete understanding and knowledge.
Dictionary.com describes the definition as: 1. Also called Fervidor. (in the French Revolutionary calendar) the 11th month of the year, extending from July 19 to August 17.
The transition required feeding some of the early leaders of the rebellion to “ the national razor” as I recall. Robespierre Hillary comes to mind. Our own Madame LeFarge.