coup de main

/'ku:də'mæɳ/

Friendly

Word: Coup de Main

Definition: The term "coup de main" is a French phrase that is used in English to mean a sudden and unexpected attack or action. It often describes a surprise move that catches someone off guard.

Usage Instructions:

• "Coup de main" is a noun and is usually used to describe a military or strategic action, but it can also be applied in other contexts where a surprise tactic is used.

Example Sentence:

• "The army executed a coup de main, capturing the enemy base before they even knew what was happening."

Advanced Usage:

In advanced contexts, "coup de main" can refer to any swift and effective action that achieves a goal quickly. For example, in business, a company might use a "coup de main" strategy to quickly gain market share through an unexpected promotion.

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of "coup de main," but you might see it used in different tenses as part of phrases, such as "executing a coup de main."

Different Meanings:

• While "coup de main" specifically refers to a sudden attack, it can also imply any decisive or clever maneuver in various fields (like business or sports) that achieves a significant advantage.

Synonyms:

• Surprise attack
• Ambush
• Blitz
• Sudden strike

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• While "coup de main" itself is not an idiom, you might come across phrases like "strike fast" or "hit hard," which convey a similar sense of taking quick action.

Summary:

"Coup de main" is a term that captures the essence of surprise and strategy in actions.

Academic

Noun

1. an attack without warning

Synonyms

• surprise attack