ambush
/'æmbuʃ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A surprise attack from a concealed position: An "ambush" is a military tactic or hostile act where attackers hide and then suddenly attack an unsuspecting enemy or target.
- The concealed position or trap itself: "Ambush" can also refer to the place where such an attack is prepared or the act of lying in wait.
Verb:
- To attack from a concealed position: To "ambush" means to carry out a surprise attack by lying in wait.
- To lie in wait to attack: It describes the act of hiding with the intent to launch a sudden assault.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- The soldiers were caught in a deadly ambush.
- They set up an ambush along the narrow mountain path.
Verb:
- The rebels planned to ambush the supply convoy.
- The tiger ambushes its prey from the tall grass.
Advanced Usage
"To lay an ambush": to prepare and position oneself for a surprise attack.
- The general ordered his troops to lay an ambush at the river crossing.
"To lie/wait in ambush": to hide, waiting to attack.
- The commandos lay in ambush for three days before the target appeared.
Variants and Related Words
- Ambushment (n): (Archaic) An ambush.
- Ambusher (n): A person or group that carries out an ambush.
- The ambushers remained perfectly silent.
Synonyms
- Noun: Trap, surprise attack, snare.
- Verb: Waylay, bushwhack, surprise.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions
(Note: "Ambush" is not typically used in phrasal verb constructions. The related actions are expressed with prepositions like "in" or "to lay.")
Related Idioms
- "To spring an ambush": to launch or initiate the hidden attack.
- When the lead vehicle entered the kill zone, they sprang the ambush.
Noun
- the act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise
Verb
- hunt (quarry) by stalking and ambushing
- wait in hiding to attack