Definition

1. Verb:
   • To spring a surprise attack; to ambush; to attack by surprise: "đánh úp" describes a military or tactical action of attacking an enemy or target unexpectedly, often from a concealed position, to gain an advantage through the element of surprise.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Quân đội đã đánh úp vào căn cứ địch lúc rạng sáng. (The army sprang a surprise attack on the enemy base at dawn.)
  • Cảnh sát đánh úp ổ cờ bạc bất hợp pháp. (The police raided the illegal gambling den by surprise.)
  • Chiến thuật đánh úp thường được sử dụng trong chiến tranh du kích. (The ambush tactic is often used in guerrilla warfare.)

Advanced Usage

• "đánh úp tinh thần": to launch a psychological surprise attack; to shock or demoralize unexpectedly.
  • Tin tức đó như một cú đánh úp tinh thần đối với anh ấy. (That news was like a psychological shock to him.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cuộc đánh úp (noun): a surprise attack; an ambush.
  • Cuộc đánh úp đã hoàn toàn thành công. (The surprise attack was completely successful.)
• Đánh (verb): to hit; to strike; to attack. (A broader root verb).
• Úp (verb): to cover; to overturn; to cap. (Implies a covering or trapping action, contributing to the meaning of "đánh úp").

Synonyms

• Phục kích: to ambush (specifically from a hidden position).
• Tấn công bất ngờ: to attack unexpectedly/suddenly.
• Ập vào: to raid; to swoop in (often used for police or authority actions).

Related Phrases / Idioms

• "Bất ngờ như đánh úp": as sudden/surprising as a surprise attack; used to describe an event that happens very unexpectedly.
  • Sự kiện đó xảy ra bất ngờ như đánh úp. (That event happened as suddenly as a surprise attack.)

1. Spring a surprise attack