Phrase guide

coup de main

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ku də meɪn/
  • /ku də mæn/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A sudden development or action carried out to surprise an enemy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

an attack without warning

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: surprise attack

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: attack, onslaught, onset, onrush

Narrower terms: terrorist attack, ambush, ambuscade, lying in wait, trap, pre-emptive strike

History

Etymology

Borrowed from French coup de main.