Definition

1. Verb:
   • To ambush; to lie in ambush: To secretly position troops or personnel in a concealed location, waiting to launch a surprise attack on an enemy or target when they enter the area.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Quân đội đã phục kích đoàn xe tiếp tế của địch. (The army ambushed the enemy's supply convoy.)
  • Chúng tôi phải cảnh giác cao độ để tránh bị phục kích. (We must be highly vigilant to avoid being ambushed.)
  • Đơn vị đặc nhiệm đang phục kích chờ mục tiêu xuất hiện. (The special forces unit is lying in ambush, waiting for the target to appear.)

Advanced Usage

• "trận phục kích": an ambush (as a noun, describing the event or tactic).
  • Trận phục kích đó đã tiêu diệt hoàn toàn một tiểu đội địch. (That ambush completely wiped out an enemy squad.)
• "vị trí phục kích" / "ổ phục kích": an ambush position.
  • Họ chọn một vị trí phục kích hoàn hảo bên con đường hẹp. (They chose a perfect ambush position beside the narrow road.)

Variants and Related Words

• Phục (v): In this context, implies hiding, concealing, or lying in wait.
• Kích (v): In this context, implies attacking, striking, or assaulting.
• Đánh úp (v): to launch a surprise attack; a close synonym often used interchangeably with "phục kích".

Synonyms

• Ambush: To make a surprise attack from a concealed position.
• Lie in wait: To hide and wait for someone in order to attack them.
• Waylay: To intercept or attack from ambush.

Related Idioms

• "Cờ đến tay ai người ấy phất" (idiom, related concept): This proverb, meaning "When the flag comes to your hand, you wave it," is sometimes used in a military or strategic context to describe seizing an opportunity created by a successful ambush or surprise attack.

verb

1. to ambush; to lie in ambush