home thrust

A debater delivers a home thrust that silences the opponent.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A decisive or effective attack: "home thrust" refers to a critical or telling blow, especially in a verbal argument or physical combat, that strikes the target accurately and with significant impact.
   • A pointed remark: In figurative use, it denotes a remark or criticism that hits the mark, often causing embarrassment or discomfort to the recipient.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • In the debate, her home thrust about his lack of experience silenced the room. (A critical and effective verbal attack.)
  • The boxer delivered a home thrust to his opponent's jaw, ending the match. (A decisive physical blow.)

Advanced Usage

• "to deliver a home thrust": to make a particularly effective or damaging remark or move.
  • During the negotiation, he delivered a home thrust by revealing the hidden costs. (He made a pointed and effective point.)

Variants and Related Words

• Home (adj): effective, direct, or reaching the intended target.

  • His home argument won the case. (A direct and effective argument.)

• Thrust (n): a sudden or forceful push or attack.

  • The knight's thrust pierced the shield. (A physical attack.)

Synonyms

• Direct hit: a strike that lands precisely on the target.
• Stinging rebuke: a sharp and hurtful criticism.

Related Idioms

• Hit home: to affect someone deeply or directly, often emotionally.

  • Her words hit home, and he realized his mistake. (The remark had a profound impact.)

• Strike a nerve: to touch on a sensitive topic.

  • His comment about her age struck a nerve. (It caused discomfort or offense.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Thrust home: to emphasize or deliver a point forcefully.
  • He thrust home the importance of honesty in the discussion. (He made the point very clear and forceful.)