pincer attack
Noun - A military maneuver: A "pincer attack" is a tactical operation in which forces attack an enemy simultaneously from two or more sides, converging to trap and surround them, resembling the action of a pincer tool.
- (A coordinated assault from multiple directions to surround the enemy.)
- (The converging assault trapped the defenders between two attacking forces.)
"to execute a pincer attack": to carry out a coordinated, enveloping assault.
- The cavalry executed a pincer attack on the retreating infantry. (The cavalry closed in from two sides to capture the infantry.)
"pincer movement": a synonymous term for pincer attack, emphasizing the motion of the forces.
- The pincer movement required precise timing to succeed. (The converging advance needed careful coordination.)
Pincer (n): a tool with two opposing arms used for gripping; also used metaphorically for any two-sided squeezing action.
- The crab's pincer was strong enough to break a shell. (The animal's claw used for grasping.)
- The company faced a pincer from rising costs and falling sales. (A metaphorical squeeze from two forces.)
Attack (n): an aggressive action against an opponent.
- The attack was launched at dawn. (The offensive began early.)
- Envelopment: a tactic of surrounding an enemy on multiple sides.
- Double envelopment: a specific form of pincer attack where both flanks are turned.
- Squeeze play: in informal contexts, a situation where pressure is applied from two directions.
"Caught in a pincer": to be trapped between two opposing forces or pressures.
- The company was caught in a pincer of rising costs and falling demand. (The company faced simultaneous pressures from two sides.)
"Between a rock and a hard place": in a difficult situation with no good options, similar to being trapped in a pincer attack.
- He was between a rock and a hard place, forced to choose between two bad outcomes. (He was in a dilemma, like being squeezed by two forces.)