surprise attack

collocation in English

meaningsofsurpriseandattack

These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withattackorsurprise.
surprise
noun
uk
/səˈpraɪz/us
/sɚˈpraɪz/
an ...
See more atsurprise
attack
noun
uk
/əˈtæk/us
/əˈtæk/
a violent act intended to hurt or damage someone ...
See more atattack

(Definition ofsurpriseandattackfrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)

Examplesofsurprise attack

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Coup de main was usually used in a military context, to depict a sudden orsurpriseattackor raid.
From theCambridge English Corpus
We also hope to make progress on measures againstsurpriseattack.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
This would help to reduce both the chances of anysurpriseattackand any ungrounded fears that such an attack might take place.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
One of the first and most urgent is to sharpen the defences againstsurpriseattack.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
She noted that it referred only to asurpriseattack.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
We put forward proposals for observer posts againstsurpriseattack.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Alternatively, does anyone else think that we would have the ability to use them after asurpriseattackhad been made on us?
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I certainly believe that we should take every conceivable step to preventsurpriseattack.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Obviously, if one thinks that the other side is likely to launch asurpriseattack, the temptation to get in first is overwhelming.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Remember, we shall have no chance of building up superiority after asurpriseattackhas informed this country that we are at war.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
A major aim is to remove capabilities forsurpriseattackand large-scale offensive action.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Did he not refer last week to a proposal in relation tosurpriseattack?
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
We were naturally anxious lest she was making great secret preparations to strengthen her navy and to develop a suddensurpriseattackupon us.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It removes from us the danger of asurpriseattack.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
One is uneasily aware of how quickly it could be overcome by asurpriseattack.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Does anyone think that we would use them in anysurpriseattackon others?
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Indeed, in the context of asurpriseattackthey need hardly bother to leave their barracks at all.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It is most improbable that her retaliatory bases could be knocked out by asurpriseattackowing to their wide dispersal.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
An adequate control and reporting system is a consequential necessity to safeguard that force againstsurpriseattack.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
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Go to the definition ofsurprise
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See other collocations withattack
See other collocations withsurprise