Definition

1. Noun:

   • A sudden, swift downward movement to seize something: The act of jumping or swooping down quickly and decisively, typically by an animal to catch prey or by a person to grab something.
   • A sudden, aggressive action or attack: A swift and determined act of seizing an opportunity or criticizing an error.

2. Verb:

   • To spring or swoop down suddenly to seize or attack: To move swiftly and decisively downward, as if in an attack, often from a height or concealed position.
   • To seize or take advantage of something suddenly and eagerly: To act quickly to criticize, correct, or capitalize on something, such as an error or opportunity.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The cat's pounce was so fast the mouse didn't have a chance to escape.
  • The journalist made a quick pounce on the politician's contradictory statement.

• Verb:

  • The eagle will pounce on fish from the surface of the lake.
  • The manager pounced on the slightest mistake in the report.

Advanced Usage

• "to be on the pounce": To be ready or waiting to attack or seize an opportunity.

  • The critics were on the pounce, waiting for the author's new book to be released.

• "to pounce on/upon something": To seize or take immediate and eager advantage of something.

  • Investors pounced on the news of the merger, buying shares rapidly.

Variants and Related Words

• Pouncer (n): One who or that which pounces.
  • The leopard is a silent pouncer.

Synonyms

• Swoop: To move rapidly downward through the air, especially in attack.
• Leap: To jump or spring a long way, to a great height, or with great force.
• Attack: To take aggressive action against.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Pounce on/upon: To seize or attack suddenly and decisively. This is the primary phrasal construction for the verb.
  • The teacher pounced upon the student's grammatical error.
  • The company pounced on the chance to buy its struggling competitor.

Related Idioms

• Like a cat on a mouse: Behaving with a sudden, swift, and decisive attack. (This idiom describes the action of a pounce.)
  • The detective was on the suspect like a cat on a mouse.

Noun

1. the act of pouncing

Verb

1. move down on as if in an attack
   • The raptor swooped down on its prey
   • The teacher swooped down upon the new students