mass of manoeuvre
Definition
Noun (Military): - mass of manoeuvre refers to a strategically held reserve force in military operations, used to exploit breakthroughs, reinforce success, or respond to unexpected developments. It is a concentrated body of troops kept mobile and ready for decisive action.
Usage Examples
Advanced Usage
"to constitute a mass of manoeuvre": to form or assemble such a reserve force.
- The armoured division was designated to constitute the army's mass of manoeuvre. (The division was set aside as the strategic reserve.)
"to commit the mass of manoeuvre": to order the reserve into action.
- The commander hesitated to commit the mass of manoeuvre until the battlefield situation was clear. (He delayed using the strategic reserve.)
Variants and Related Words
- Manoeuvre (n): a movement or series of moves requiring skill and care, especially in a military context.
- The troops executed a flanking manoeuvre to outflank the enemy.
- Mass (n): a large body of matter or troops without definite shape.
- A mass of soldiers advanced across the plain.
Synonyms
- Strategic reserve: a military force kept back for later use in a campaign.
- Operational reserve: troops held for immediate use in a battle or operation.
- Striking force: a mobile unit designed to deliver a decisive blow.
Related Idioms
- "Hold in reserve": to keep something available for future use.
- The general held his best troops in reserve as a mass of manoeuvre.
- "Throw in the reserve": to commit additional forces to a battle.
- When the attack stalled, the commander threw in the reserve as a mass of manoeuvre.