pounce

/pauns/
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pounce

The cat pounces on a toy mouse.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A sudden, swift downward movement to seize something: The act of jumping or swooping down quickly and decisively, typically by an animal to catch prey or by a person to grab something.
    • A sudden, aggressive action or attack: A swift and determined act of seizing an opportunity or criticizing an error.

  2. Verb:

    • To spring or swoop down suddenly to seize or attack: To move swiftly and decisively downward, as if in an attack, often from a height or concealed position.
    • To seize or take advantage of something suddenly and eagerly: To act quickly to criticize, correct, or capitalize on something, such as an error or opportunity.
Examples of Usage

  • Noun:

    • The cat's pounce was so fast the mouse didn't have a chance to escape.
    • The journalist made a quick pounce on the politician's contradictory statement.

  • Verb:

    • The eagle will pounce on fish from the surface of the lake.
    • The manager pounced on the slightest mistake in the report.
Advanced Usage

  • "to be on the pounce": To be ready or waiting to attack or seize an opportunity.

    • The critics were on the pounce, waiting for the author's new book to be released.

  • "to pounce on/upon something": To seize or take immediate and eager advantage of something.

    • Investors pounced on the news of the merger, buying shares rapidly.
Variants and Related Words
  • Pouncer (n): One who or that which pounces.
    • The leopard is a silent pouncer.
Synonyms
  • Swoop: To move rapidly downward through the air, especially in attack.
  • Leap: To jump or spring a long way, to a great height, or with great force.
  • Attack: To take aggressive action against.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Pounce on/upon: To seize or attack suddenly and decisively. This is the primary phrasal construction for the verb.
    • The teacher pounced upon the student's grammatical error.
    • The company pounced on the chance to buy its struggling competitor.
Related Idioms
  • Like a cat on a mouse: Behaving with a sudden, swift, and decisive attack. (This idiom describes the action of a pounce.)
    • The detective was on the suspect like a cat on a mouse.
pounce

The cat pounces on a toy mouse.

Noun
  1. the act of pouncing
Verb
  1. move down on as if in an attack
    • The raptor swooped down on its prey
    • The teacher swooped down upon the new students

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