coup de main

coup de main

noun \-ˈmaⁿ\

plural coups de main\ˌkü-də-\

Definition of COUP DE MAIN

: a sudden attack in force

Examples of COUP DE MAIN

1. <the Continental Army's attack on the British-Hessian encampment at Trenton, New Jersey, ranks as one of the most brilliant coups de main of the war>

Origin of COUP DE MAIN

French, literally, hand stroke

First Known Use: 1758

Related to COUP DE MAIN

Synonyms: aggression, assault, attempt, blitz, blitzkrieg, charge, attack, descent, offense (or offence), offensive, onset, onslaught, raid, rush, strike

Related Words: ambuscade, ambush; counteraggression, counterassault, counterattack, counteroffensive, counterstrike; sally, sortie; envelopment, flanking; breakthrough, foray, incursion, invasion; pillage, ravage, sack; air raid, bombardment, bombing; siege, storm; barrage, cannonade, fusillade, hail, salvo, volley; whammy

Near Antonyms: defense, defensive, guard, shield; opposition, resistance; protection, security, shelter

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Rhymes with COUP DE MAIN

Claude Lorrain, coq au vin, fleur de coin, Gobelin, Maritain, Mazarin, Saint-Germain