单词	attack
释义	attack1 nounattack2 verb attackat‧tack1 /əˈtæk/ ●●● S2 W2 noun Entry menu MENU FOR attackattack1 violence against somebody/something2 in a war3 criticism4 illness5 emotion6 attempt to stop something7 sport8 damage Examples EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES a number of brutal and unprovoked attacks on gays an asthma attack Eleven people were injured in a rocket attack on Sunday night. Fong did not suffer a physical attack, but he was humiliated by the three men. France launched a bitter attack on EU proposals to reduce farm subsidies. International terrorists have mounted an attack aimed at disrupting the huge tourist industry here. Malaria often doesn't go away completely, and a patent may suffer from repeated attacks over several years. missile attacks on civilian targets New statistics show a further increase in attacks on women. O'Brien promised to continue his attacks on the film industry. Once again the oil companies have come under attack from environmentalists. One of my students suddenly had an attack of asthma and I didn't know what to do. Police say it was a particularly nasty attack. She was left unconscious after an attack in her own home. The attack took place as she was walking home. The caller warned that the attacks will continue until the demands are met. The city is exposed and vulnerable to air attack. Their home was damaged in the attack. There was no indication of a sexual attack. They finally caught the gang responsible for the armed attacks on foreigners in Dakar. EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS At this time the Union center, having reformed after falling back under the early attacks, was still standing fast. But most animals, seeking to avoid attack from predators, use disguise in a quite different and more cautious way. Hiding under a seat in a movie theater that has come under attack by a crazed gunman. Lumbering was an attack operation, as thoroughly strategic and disciplined as a military siege. Officially you are all going to be victims of a surprise attack on the rescue party by the native inhabitants. The air attack occurred in August 1988 during a campaign against the Kurdish separatist movement. Your father died early this morning of a heart attack. Thesaurus THESAURUS► attack noun [countable, uncountable] an act of using weapons against an enemy in a war: · The US was threatening to launch an attack on Iran.· The men had been carrying out rocket attacks on British forces.· Bombs have been falling throughout the night, and the city is still under attack (=being attacked). ► invasion noun [countable, uncountable] an occasion when an army enters a country and tries to take control of it: · The Allies began their invasion of Europe.· The threat of foreign invasion is very real. ► raid noun [countable] a short attack on a place by soldiers or planes, intended to cause damage but not take control: · an air raid· NATO warplanes carried out a series of bombing raids on the city.· The village has been the target of frequent raids by rebel groups. ► strike noun [countable] a sudden military attack, especially after a serious disagreement: · Senior Israeli officials warned that they were still considering a military strike.· the possibility of a nuclear strike ► assault noun [countable] a military attack intended to take control of a city, area, or building controlled by an enemy: · The final military assault on Kwangju began at 3 am on May 27.· Hitler launched an all-out assault (=using as many soldiers, weapons, planes etc as possible) on Russia. ► ambush noun [countable, uncountable] a sudden attack by people who have been waiting and hiding, especially an attack on a vehicle or people who are travelling somewhere: · Five soldiers were shot in the back and killed in the ambush.· Enemy forces waiting in ambush opened fire on the vehicle. ► counterattack noun [countable, uncountable] a military attack made in response to an attack by an enemy: · Government forces launched a counterattack against the guerillas.· If they successfully occupied the city, they would need to be capable of defending it against enemy counterattack. ► onslaught noun [countable] formal a large violent attack by an army: · In 1544 there was a full-scale onslaught on France, in which the English took Boulogne.· The troops were preparing for another onslaught against the enemy. Longman Language Activatorto attack someone► attack to use violence against someone and try to hurt them: · A woman was attacked by three youths while she was out jogging in Central Park.· Police dogs are trained to attack in certain circumstances.· He was badly injured when one of his own bulls attacked him. attack somebody with something: · Her husband attacked her with a knife. ► mug to attack someone and take money from them in a public place such as a street: · Since moving to New Jersey, he has been mugged at gunpoint twice.· If anyone ever tried to mug me, I would throw my bag and run.get mugged: · I was scared I would get mugged or raped. ► assault to attack and hurt someone - use this especially to talk about the crime of attacking someone: · He assaulted a female flight attendant who refused to serve him more drinks.· Some supporters ran onto the field and assaulted the referee.sexually assault somebody: · She was kidnapped and sexually assaulted at gunpoint. ► stab to attack someone by pushing a knife into them: · The victim had been stabbed six times.stab somebody in something: · Meyers was stabbed once in the abdomen and once in the neck.stab at: · Her assailant lunged, stabbing at her again and again. ► go for to attack someone with a sudden violent movement: go for somebody: · Charlie went for Murray as soon as he entered the room, pushing him up against the wall.go for somebody with something: · One day Grandma got so mad she went for Grandpa with the kitchen knife.go for somebody's throat/ears/eyes etc: · The dog went straight for my throat, without warning.· If you are attacked, go for your attacker's eyes as they are the most vulnerable part of the face. ► lay into to attack someone very violently, hitting them repeatedly and without control: lay into somebody: · From the moment the bell rang, Tyson laid into his opponent.lay into somebody with something: · The video shows a policeman repeatedly laying into a protestor with his baton. to attack someone suddenly and unexpectedly► ambush if a group of people ambush someone, they hide and wait for them and then suddenly attack them: · The rebel group successfully ambushed a regiment of American reinforcements.· He was afraid he would be stopped by government troops or, even worse, ambushed by the Vietcong. · Parker ambushed a school bus on a field trip and held 17 children and their teacher hostage. ► be set upon by to suddenly be attacked by people or animals, especially when you are going somewhere - used especially in written or literary contexts: · He had been set upon by bat-wielding racists, so he understood how I felt.· The drivers were set upon by a mob, including several women, which showered them with stones. ► turn on also turn upon to suddenly attack someone you are with, especially when it is very unexpected: · Red with rage, Frank turned on Anna, grasping her arm in a vice-like grip.· Then the warriors turned upon each other, for a fight to the death. ► strike to make a quick sudden attack especially on someone who is not expecting to be attacked: · They felt sure the killer would strike again, but could not say when.· The police struck at dawn in a carefully timed operation to catch the bombers. ► pounce to suddenly jump on another person from a place where you have been hiding, in order to catch or attack them: be ready/waiting/set to pounce: · He crouched on the ground, like an animal ready to pounce.pounce on: · Before he could rescue it, the cat pounced on the bird and carried it to the bushes. ► jump informal to attack someone suddenly and usually from behind, in order to injure them or to rob them: · Two guys tried to jump me in the park last night.· He climbed over the wall and jumped the guard, easily overpowering him. to attack a place or country► attack to attack a place or country using weapons, aircraft, soldiers etc: · On 25 April, British and Australian troops attacked the enemy at Gallipoli.· The village had been attacked by enemy warplanes.· The special unit attacked at dawn, inflicting heavy losses.· General Powell consulted with the President before giving the order to attack. ► invade if a country's army invades another country, it enters it and tries to control it: · Enemy forces were almost certainly preparing to invade.· Sicily was invaded by the Normans, and later by the Saracens.· In his latest film, super-intelligent aliens invade Earth and try to take over. ► raid if a group of soldiers raids a place or town belonging to an enemy, they attack it suddenly and without any warning and cause a lot of damage in a short time: · The rebels raided the tiny mountain town early on Tuesday.· Again, the tribe had raided a neighbouring village, inflicting many casualties. ► launch an attack/mount an attack also launch an invasion/mount an invasion to start to attack an enemy's army, country, or property, in a planned way: · A fresh attack was mounted on the last remaining rebels.· The Huns, normally a peaceful race, launched an invasion into Europe via the Caspian Steppes. ► storm to suddenly attack a city or building that is well-defended by getting inside it and taking control: · Heavily armed and masked gunmen stormed an ammunitions store in Co. Mayo.· an attempt by government forces to storm the hijacked airplane ► besiege to surround a city or building with soldiers in order to stop the people inside from getting out or from receiving supplies such as food and water: · The capital has been besieged by the opposition militia for two months now.· Federal agents besieged the compound in Waco in 1993. to attack someone because they attacked you► retaliate to attack someone because they have attacked you first: · The government wants peace, but will not hesitate to retaliate if attacked.· She decided not to retaliate physically, because it would put her in even greater danger.retaliate by doing something: · When police tried to push back the crowd, a few youths retaliated by throwing stones at them.· Later that day, whites retaliated by killing a young black delivery driver. retaliate against: · He has promised to take tough measures to retaliate against extremists. retaliate for (=because of what someone has done to you): · In an interview, Tyson claimed he was retaliating for Holyfield's attack on him.retaliate with: · I fully accept that it was wrong of the guards to retaliate with blows and kicks. ► counter-attack an attack that an army makes after it has been attacked by an enemy: · The enemy had started a vicious counter-attack, forcing the French into the woods.launch/mount a counter-attack: · Allied forces were regrouping in order to launch a counter-attack. ► hit back/strike back to attack a person or army that has attacked you first, especially in order to try and show that you are very strong and cannot be defeated: · The tanks and artillery will hit back hard if the ceasefire is broken.hit back/strike back with: · Less than 24 hours after this cross-border raid, army jets hit back with a devastating air strike.hit back/strike back at: · He suspected that the US would take the opportunity to strike back at the Axis forces. ► tit-for-tat : tit-for-tat killings/murders/response etc a killing, reaction etc done because someone has done something similar to someone in your group: · Any hope of peace is destroyed by these endless tit-for-tat attacks.· The murder is thought to have been a tit-for-tat response by the Mafia to an earlier gangland killing. an attack against a person► attack when someone uses violence against another person and tries to hurt them: · The attack took place as she was walking home.racial/sexual/physical attack: · Fong did not suffer a physical attack, but he was humiliated by the three men. · victims of racial attacks · There was no indication of a sexual attack.attack on: · They finally caught the gang responsible for the armed attacks on foreigners in Dakar.· New statistics show a further increase in attacks on women.vicious/nasty/unprovoked etc attack: · Police say it was a particularly nasty attack.· a number of brutal and unprovoked attacks on gays ► mugging an attack on someone in a public place such as a street, in order to steal something from them: · Preston was a victim of a mugging three months ago.a spate/series of muggings (=several muggings in a short period of time): · Police are investigating a spate of muggings that took place on the campus last week. ► assault an attack on someone - use this especially when talking about the crime of attacking someone: · The charges against the prisoner include criminal damage and assault.indecent/sexual/violent assault: · He was convicted of adultery and indecent assault.· the problem of domestic violence and sexual assault within the homeassault on: · Assaults on public transportation workers have doubled in the last 10 years. a military attack► attack when a military force attacks a place or country, using weapons, aircraft, soldiers etc: · The attack began at dawn.· The caller warned that the attacks will continue until the demands are met.attack on: · missile attacks on civilian targetsnaval/air/artillery/terrorist etc attack: · The city is exposed and vulnerable to air attack.· Eleven people were injured in a rocket attack on Sunday night.launch/mount an attack: · International terrorists have mounted an attack aimed at disrupting the huge tourist industry here.go on the attack (=start to attack someone or something): · To my horror, the soldiers went on the attack, killing men, women and children indiscriminately. ► invasion when an army from one country enters another country and tries to control it: · The fear of an invasion by rebels is always present.foreign/military etc invasion: · Some analysts fear that increasing desperation could lead to a military invasion of the country's southern neighbors.· the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia ► raid a short quick attack by a group of soldiers, planes, or ships on a place that belongs to an enemy: military/bombing/aerial etc raid: · He led a commando raid in the desert.· a surprise raid · NATO bombing raidsair raid (=one carried out by planes dropping bombs): · Some of the most beautiful architecture in the city was destroyed in the air raids.· air-raid sirensraid on/against: · Sixty people are thought to have been killed in the raid on the village just west of the capital.· John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry· As a teenager, he was involved in a raid against a village of Omaha Indians. ► ambush a sudden attack by a group of soldiers who have been hiding and waiting for someone: be killed/shot etc in an ambush: · Six or seven of the passengers were killed in an ambush on the narrowest part of the road.lie/wait in ambush (=wait in order to ambush): · They moved slowly, knowing that in the next clump of trees enemy soldiers might be lying in ambush. ► assault a military attack to take control of a place controlled by the enemy: aerial/military/naval etc assault: · a massive armed assault on the cityassault on/against: · Only a successful assault on the rebels' headquarters could have ended the civil war. ► strike a sudden attack, especially one from the air, using bombs: · The rebels launched a retaliatory strike.air/nuclear/missile etc strike: · The bomb strike took place on a camp near Krek. · nuclear strike capability ► offensive a planned attack involving large forces and often taking place over several weeks or months, especially as part of a plan to win a war: military/nuclear/air etc offensive: · The great military offensive had failed, and it seemed victory was escaping them.· The rebel offensive resumed on Thursday, leaving 12 dead and many injured.launch/mount an offensive: · Government troops launched an offensive against UNITA positions in the north. offensive on/against: · The President announced a counter-offensive on the rebels. ► aggression the act of attacking a country, especially when that country has not attacked first - used especially in political contexts: · The invasion was condemned as 'blatant aggression' by the British Prime Minister.· The President promised to use all his powers to prevent further aggression.armed/foreign/military etc agression: · another example of communist aggressionaggression against: · As our older generation knows from experience, unchecked aggression against a small nation is a prelude to international disaster.an act of aggression: · Any eastward expansion would be regarded by the government as an act of aggression. a person or place that attacks another person or country► attacker also assailant formal someone who attacks another person: · Unknown assailants stabbed a British tourist and wounded his wife. · The attacker fled empty-handed.your/his/her etc attacker (=the person who attacked you/him/her etc): · Her attacker is described as white, in his mid-fifties and with medium-length dark hair.· Mrs Lundy's alleged assailants were aquitted of all charges. ► aggressor a country that attacks another country, especially when that country has not already attacked first: · The situation is complex and it is not easy to determine exactly who is the aggressor in this case.military/foreign etc aggressor: · a call for united action against the foreign aggressor· The USSR scored valuable propaganda points against its Western aggressors. a person or place that is attacked► victim someone who has been attacked: · In most sexual offences, the attacker is known to the victim.· The victim was shaken, but physically unharmed.murder/rape/torture etc victim: · The program was grossly insensitive to Holocaust victims.· One of the bombing victims was dead on arrival in hospital.victim of: · She had been the victim of a particularly vicious attack.· victims of domestic abuse ► target a person or place that someone, especially a military group, has chosen to attack: · The bomb missed its target by several kilometres.military/civilian target: · The GIA continued its attacks on civilian targets.target zone/area: · When the plane gets to the target area, it drops the missile and returns to base.target of: · The Institution has been the target of terrorist attack several times.· The commonly used roads are the targets of heavy fire.prime target (=very obvious and probable target): · Holding a US passport makes these tourists a prime target for terrorists. ► be under attack if an army or place is under attack , it is being attacked: · The rebels are under attack and may surrender at any time.be under attack from: · At first, he thought the Pacific Fleet was under attack from German forces.come under attack (=begin to be attacked): · We were united by a sense of national pride when our country came under attack. easy to attack► vulnerable easy to attack, damage, or enter by force: · His victims are vulnerable young women. · Ground floor windows are particularly vulnerable and secure locks should be fitted.vulnerable to: · The tanks' positions made them vulnerable to enemy gunfire. ► sitting duck someone who is very easy to attack because they cannot move or they can only move very slowly: · The troops in their bunkers were sitting ducks for enemy missiles.· We were like sitting ducks, our only defense a small shed surrounded by a few concrete blocks. ► be an easy target to be very easy to see or find and therefore easy to attack: · I knew that in our current position, we were an all-too-easy target for thieves and bandits.make an easy target: · Women living alone make easy targets for robbers. something you say or write in order to criticize► criticism what you say or write when you criticize someone or something: · Bill's very sensitive to any kind of criticism.criticism of: · The report makes many criticisms of the nation's prison system.severe/strong criticism: · The government faces severe criticism for its slow response to the disaster.come in for criticism (=be criticized): · Taylor has come in for a lot of criticism for his part in the affair. ► attack a statement that criticizes someone publicly, especially in politics or business: attack on: · O'Brien promised to continue his attacks on the film industry.come under attack from somebody (=be criticized by someone): · Once again the oil companies have come under attack from environmentalists.launch an attack on somebody/something: · France launched a bitter attack on EU proposals to reduce farm subsidies. ► slur unfair criticism that reduces the good opinion that people have about someone: · Your accusation of bribe-taking is a slur which I shall never forgive. ► put-down spoken informal something that someone says to someone, especially when other people are there, that criticizes them and makes them feel stupid or unimportant: · She was a master of the sarcastic put-down.· I didn't mean it as a put-down but I could tell from her response that she took my criticism personally. a short illness► attack when you suddenly begin to have an illness that you often have, especially when this only continues for a short time: · One of my students suddenly had an attack of asthma and I didn't know what to do.· Malaria often doesn't go away completely, and a patient may suffer from repeated attacks over several years. ► a bout of a short period of suffering from an illness, especially one that is not serious: · In recent months he had had several bouts of flu.· The patient may experience bouts of nausea as a result of the treatment. ► a touch of informal a short period of suffering from an illness that is not serious: · It's nothing serious -- just a touch of indigestion.· I feel like I'm getting a touch of flu. Collocations COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1NOUN + attack► a bomb attack (=usually intended to achieve a political aim)· Animal rights activists are believed to have carried out the bomb attack. ► a terrorist attack · The accused men went on trial Monday for America’s worst-ever terrorist attack. ► a knife/gun attack · He was sentenced to nine years in prison for the knife attack. ► an arson attack (=intended to destroy a building by burning it)· Ten classrooms were completely destroyed in the arson attack. adjectives► a violent/vicious/brutal attack · Police described it as an extremely violent attack. ► a horrific attack · 'This was a horrific attack,' said Detective Chief Superintendent Ron Astles. ► a frenzied attack (=very violent and uncontrolled)· The woman was stabbed to death in a frenzied attack at her home. ► a racial attack · Staffordshire police are treating the incident as a racial attack. ► a sexual attack · There was no indication of a sexual attack. ► an unprovoked attack (=in which the victim did nothing to cause the attack)· Their teenage son was knocked to the ground, kicked and punched in an unprovoked attack. ► a motiveless attack (=that happens for no reason)· He was stabbed to death in an apparently motiveless attack. verbs► carry out an attack · The man who carried out the attack has been described as white and 25 to 32 years old. ► an attack happens/takes place (also an attack occurs formal)· The attack took place at around 10 pm Thursday. phrases► a series/spate/wave of attacks (=a number of attacks in a row)· The killing follows a series of brutal attacks on tourists. ► the victim of an attack · She was the victim of an attack in her own home. Meaning 2ADJECTIVES/NOUN + attack► a nuclear attack · They would not risk a nuclear attack on the United States. ► an all-out attack (=that is done with a lot of determination)· General Smith was in favour of an all-out attack on the enemy. ► a full-scale attack (=that uses all the available soldiers and weapons)· German troops launched a full-scale attack on the city. ► an armed attack · Armed attacks against Israeli settlements are on the increase. ► a surprise attack · We launched a surprise attack on their camp just before dawn. ► a missile/rocket/mortar attack · There were 15 dead and 20 wounded in a missile attack on the capital. ► an air/bomb attack (=an attack from a plane using bombs)· Malta was under heavy air attack. verbs► launch an attack · In April the French army launched an attack. ► lead/mount an attack · The King now prepared to mount an attack on Granada. ► come under attack · Camps in the south came under attack from pro-government forces. ► be under attack · He arrived when the base was under attack from mortar and small arms fire. COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► all-out war/attack/offensive etc ► arson attack  The school was destroyed in an arson attack. ► asthmatic attack  an asthmatic attack ► a bomb attack · No one has yet claimed responsibility for the bomb attack. ► brutal murder/attack/assault  a brutal attack on a defenceless old man ► carry out an attack · It became clear that terrorists had carried out the attack. ► carry out an attack · It became clear that terrorists had carried out the attack. ► a critic attacks something · Many critics attacked Seurat’s paintings for their lack of colour. ► cross-border attack/raid ► fierce attack/opposition/criticism etc  The government’s policies came under fierce attack. ► frenzied attack  A woman was stabbed to death in a frenzied attack on her home tonight. ► full frontal attack  a full frontal attack on the government ► full-scale attack/war/riot etc ► have/suffer a heart attack ► horrific crash/accident/attack etc  a horrific plane crash ► indiscriminate attacks/killing/violence/bombing etc  terrorists responsible for indiscriminate killing ► a knife attack · He was sentenced to 9 years in prison for a knife attack. ► launch an attack/assault/offensive  The press launched a vicious attack on the president. ► lead an attack/assault  Nelson preferred to lead the attack himself from the front. ► line of fire/attack/movement etc (=the direction in which someone shoots, attacks, moves etc) I was directly in the animal’s line of attack. ► massive stroke/heart attack etc  He suffered a massive stroke. ► mortar attack  a mortar attack ► mount an assault/attack  Guerrillas have mounted an attack on the capital. ► an attack of nerves (=a time when you feel very nervous)· Harrison had an attack of nerves before the match. ► a panic attack · He had had a panic attack in the street. ► physically attack somebody · It was the first time he had ever physically attacked anybody. ► a plan of attack (=a plan to attack or achieve something)· At this stage, you go back to the office and work on a plan of attack. ► pre-emptive strike/attack  a series of pre-emptive strikes on guerrilla bases ► a racial attack · He was the victim of a racial attack. ► a revenge attack · The camp was burned down, apparently in a revenge attack. ► scathing attack/remark/comment etc  a scathing attack on the government’s planned tax increases ► suffer a heart attack/stroke · He died after suffering a massive heart attack. ► a surprise attack · Instead they launched a successful surprise attack on the castle. ► attack a target · They have attacked military targets such as army camps and airfields. ► a terrorist attack/bombing/act · More than 50 people were injured in the terrorist attack. ► veiled attack on  His speech is being seen as a veiled attack on asylum-seekers. ► a violent attack · Blacks were more often victims of violent attacks than other ethnic groups. ► a wave of violence/attacks/bombings · The incident triggered a wave of violence. COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE► brutal · Mr Purohit, a leading figure in the Hindu community, had been murdered, in a brutal attack.· Father finds son on ground after brutal attack.· It was a brutal and mindless attack.· Detectives spoke of their disgust at the brutal attack. ► fierce · The government was blamed and its tariff and trade policies came under fierce attack.· The fiercest attacks were directed not at Levin, but at Lautenberg, who was facing reelection the next year.· Since the mid-1960s Walcott's views have come under fierce attack.· Cannon and his co-workers launched a fierce attack on James.· The conference's failure to set limits came under fierce attack from environmentalists. ► massive · The patient had come to the hospital for tests, and suffered a massive heart attack.· A Colonel Herbinger, drunk at the time, thought in his stupor that the enemy had launched a massive attack.· The massive attacks work well for the opening movement, with its homage to Bach.· Of course, he defied doctor's orders, and in 1977 he died of a massive heart attack, aged sixty.· In parts of Lincolnshire, for example, the early seventeenth century saw a massive attack on the former open fields.· Staff made frantic attempts to revive him but he is thought to have suffered a massive heart attack. ► nuclear · Consequently, they might remove the base, thereby removing the reason for a nuclear attack.· The nation could ill afford a logy commander-in-chief in the event of nuclear attack.· My relatives and friends lived in fear of nuclear attack or bombardment by chemical weapons.· But like the old joke, they prepare for nuclear attack by gathering the wagons into a circle.· In any case the vast base was vulnerable to nuclear attack.· Nor will such a network of battle stations immediately end the threat of nuclear attack.· He was executive officer aboard the Honolulu, a nuclear attack submarine. ► panic · It's as if she has panic attacks and a kind of phobia.· Richard was having a panic attack on Fifth Avenue, clutching a lamppost with arms that bulged like tin drums.· Thirty years ago we heard nothing about panic attacks, or anorexia or self-mutilation.· Certainly about ten percent of the population has suffered at least one panic attack.· Before the storm, I was full of anxiety, panic attacks, good and bad days.· Once you understand the panic attack problem, these particular fears of public places make perfect sense.· It has also been proven to combat anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and panic attacks.· It was manifesting itself in insomnia, panic attacks. ► personal · Nothing could be more calculated to provoke fresh accusations or evidence than a personal attack on Cathy Woodhead.· But after weeks of personal attacks on the president, such speculation seems premature.· Respond to personal attack by getting angry or upset.· There was nothing personal in our attack.· Candidates also are resorting to personal attacks to get attention because their positions on most substantive issues are remarkably similar.· Perhaps with reason, Brown has regarded most legislative reform proposals as a personal attack on him.· I read message after message spouting racist doctrines, discriminatory diatribes and personal attacks. ► racial · It looks at some appalling racial attacks, including a skinhead raid last June on a Gypsy camp near Naples.· These precautions are essential because of the danger of racial attacks.· We will continue to ensure that the full force of the law is used to deal with racial attacks.· After he was elected in November he revealed that he been the subject of racial attacks during his campaign.· Their gathering for the bus ride home is often the occasion for a racial attack. NOUN► air · Coming in the midst of a presidential campaign, the air attack has generated the inevitable political rhetoric, bombast and pressure.· The air attack occurred in August 1988 during a campaign against the Kurdish separatist movement.· He also underlines further the riskiness of the Yamamoto plan, pointing to the high vulnerability of carriers to air attack.· There were no trains and the roads were under constant air attack.· This was the possibility of a sneak enemy air attack on Tokyo, the capital of the Empire.· Meanwhile, the air attacks continue.· He will need to sell his candidacy and meet the Democratic air attack with regularly televised speeches from the Senate floor. ► arson · Richard Fielding, 21, has admitted an arson attack that killed seven members of the same family.· The hut at North Park, Darlington, was destroyed in an arson attack last year.· Who will pay?: Insurance fears after school arson attack.· Party workers have been rallying around since last Thursday night's arson attack which caused tens of thousands worth of damage.· Ten classrooms were gutted in the arson attack, and three fire fighters were treated for smoke inhalation.· It's expected to be some weeks before all the shops damaged in the arson attack can be re-opened.· Read in studio An airman who helped destroy evidence after a twenty million pound arson attack has been fined fifteen hundred pounds. ► bomb · The commando had been planning a car bomb attack in Seville during its April fair.· From June 1944 the flying bomb attacks were less concentrated spatially, but even more destructive.· This development follows the first suicide bomb attack for two years.· Police were also seeking a motive for an attempted pipe bomb attack on a house in Ballymoney, Co Antrim. ► heart · He later was rector of two other Norfolk parishes and retired in 1979 after a heart attack.· This study is the first to evaluate the role of food and fluids in preventing fainting and heart attacks in air travelers.· A 40-year-old man was airlifted to hospital from an Isle of Man-bound ferry after having a heart attack.· The court of appeals upheld the sentences for the two remaining after one died of a heart attack.· A heart attack, she said, and rang off before he could ask questions.· Bunn was released from trial during the summer after suffering a heart attack.· It was Anderson who discovered Tilden dead of a heart attack in June of 1953. ► knife · Tensions were already running high after the knife attack on an Arsenal supporter the night before. ► missile · Gates warned that Hussein probably expects another cruise missile attack.· If they wished, they could have ordered an artillery barrage or missile attack on the vehicles.· But the news broadcast after the first missile attack failed to mention it.· Instead, the arsenal ship would have relied on other warships to defend it against missile attacks.· Chief Petty Officer John Strange was badly injured during a missile attack.· The Pentagon ordered up cruise missile attacks from two of the six cruise-missile equipped warships on patrol in the Persian Gulf. ► mortar · At 21 months, little Mirza is the youngest to be brought here from the mortar attacks and shelling around Sarajevo. ► revenge · The Resistance firebombed the house and daubed swastikas on the walls in a revenge attack.· Many of them, however, are already out of prison, and there have been no reported revenge attacks by Hezbollah.· Detectives suspect the van bombing was a revenge attack.· Letter bomb: Revenge attack on farmer jailed for cruelty.· The Madurans launched revenge attacks and the situation deteriorated. ► surprise · Speed of pursuit and a surprise attack gave Abram victory.· In the surprise attack, they torched the town and rounded up its inhabitants.· This would increase the warning time of any possible surprise attack.· No world leader would try to launch a surprise attack because the response would be terminal for his own nation.· His surprise attack routed the Chaos forces in the woods around the White Tower.· That could provide clues about who was behind the surprise attack.· It was also important to demonstrate the ability of nuclear forces to ride out a surprise attack.· Officially you are all going to be victims of a surprise attack on the rescue party by the native inhabitants. VERB► come · Explain why the Keynesian model has come under increasing attack in recent years. 6.· Hiding under a seat in a movie theater that has come under attack by a crazed gunman.· Modern methods of livestock farming have come under severe attack since the 1989 outbreak of salmonella.· Alarcon said the man had illegally entered the country sometime prior to the aircraft coming under attack.· The regimes of both units came under considerable attack from the interviewees.· Meanwhile Mr Lamont came under attack for spending the whole of August away from his desk.· Air pollution and energy conservation aside, private vehicles also come under attack when we consider rural and urban environments.· The original Bill came under strong attack and fell when John Major called an April election. ► launch · The World Champion launched a direct attack in the dying moments of the first session.· The doctor is launching a direct attack at the source of the allegations -- a lawsuit.· Grant launched an all-out attack on these defenses during the gusty,, rainy, and misty dawn of May 12.· Realizing that he was the better fighter, I decided to gain the upper hand by launching a surprise attack.· In response, the country launched an all-out attack on Freetown from Lungi airport on the outskirts of the city.· Lord Lane also launched a strong attack on the crisis in the crown and county courts.· You may even have to launch a complete attack before you can spell out your future intentions. ► mount · Three men had mounted an incompetent attack on Trent at Bacalar.· Prevention is quiet, but politicians who mount all-out attacks on symptoms generate great publicity.· Thirdly, there was now a legal precedent upon which to mount attacks on politically inspired censorship.· Instead, the Republicans are expected to mount legal attacks on the environmental measures.· He then turned on the assembled crowd and mounted a scathing verbal attack on them.· North overcame the West 2-0 rather more easily, West hardly mounting a worthwhile attack.· No Soviet figure, let alone such a prominent one, had ever mounted such an attack in the Western press.· They said the case was prejudiced by a campaign by the Communist party to mount a political attack on Fiat. ► suffer · He suffered a heart attack early in the game.· In the midst of a sermon, he suffered an apoplectic attack and remained unconscious for the rest of his life.· And in Dusseldorf police said a member of the Republican party suffered a heart attack after being beaten up by demonstrators.· Now I, suffering attacks of insecurity as they grow away from me, need to clutch them in the night.· The family travelled to Brno and to Olomouc, but nevertheless both Mozart and his sister suffered mild attacks of smallpox.· He was released from trial during the summer, after suffering a heart attack.· These children had suffered 25 attacks between them over a 59-day period. Phrases PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► biological weapons/warfare/attack etc He knew then that the mystery of Titron was only partly explained by the secret biological warfare establishment. Regional conflicts - along with the proliferation of missiles and nuclear, chemical and biological weapons - present growing dangers. Schwarzkopf strongly defended his field commanders from allegations that they were careless about chemical and biological weapons. We tend to focus on nuclear but chemical and biological weapons, while not as devastating, would be plenty bad. ► blistering attack/criticism etc Bates also launched a blistering attack on the sports minister Kate Hoey. The most humiliating thing for Mr Major was not the fact that it was Mr Lamont who made the blistering attack. The religious press in the first decade of pentecostal history teems with blistering attacks on the new movement. ► come under attack/fire/scrutiny etc At a deeper level, however, the concept of the mentally abnormal female offender has come under scrutiny. He added that to be accurate, the aircraft would have to risk coming under fire. He said the company came under scrutiny along with other insurers after allegations were first made against Metropolitan Life in 1993. In addition to facing the ire of frustrated riders, Muni has also come under fire recently from federal safety officials. Patrick is generally regarded as having been an aggressive enforcer of civil-rights laws and often came under fire from conservatives. Police came under attack from bottles, bricks and plastic crates. Sir Derek came under fire from several shareholders. Their vehicle came under fire but was not hit. ► concerted effort/action/attack etc As part of a concerted effort to reinvigorate residential communities, 2, 000 new houses have sprung up since 1990. He said the pledge was meaningless unless a concerted effort was made to find legislative time for outstanding recommendations. However, with a concerted effort, this research could be completed within 2 years. If we are going to maintain the modern world, then concerted action for the future is urgently needed. Prompt response to requests would help to ease the pressure as would a concerted effort being made to increase membership. She has also made a concerted effort to improve her knowledge. The end of the story, of course, is that the students' concerted efforts around the nation worked. This change is part of a concerted effort to raise our profile with our international customers. ► copycat crime/attack etc However, 44% of you feel that these reports should leave the gory details out and 39% feel they encourage copycat crimes. What about fingerprints, copycat crimes and serial murders? ► frontal attack/assault A full frontal assault right in the snout. But the frontal assault on Cobdenite assumptions was the challenge to free trade itself. Efforts should then be entirely concentrated on the frontal attack. Gorbad, still weak from the wound suffered at Grunberg, was unprepared for a frontal assault. If we were fit, a frontal assault would be suicide. The congress went further, straying close to a frontal attack on the ruling party. They are a frontal assault of the Devil not only upon believers but on human beings everywhere. ► give somebody/have a heart attack Doctors at Leicester Royal Infirmary are to assess the benefits of giving magnesium to heart attack victims immediately after an attack. I will surely give some one a heart attack ... I have varicose veins in my legs. That ought to give Francois a heart attack. ► smash-and-grab raid/attack etc► stinging attack/report/letter etc Mr Smith launched a stinging attack on John Major, ridiculing him as a man who has lost control of events. The company which used to give £40,000 a year to Tory funds, launched a stinging attack on Government policies. What upsets her much more than the two columns is a stinging letter to the editor published in the sports pages. ► suicide attack/mission/bombing etc As Delbert saw it, they went on suicide missions, which was just the kind of action he wanted. His suicide mission came as a surprise to more people than just his family. The powers-that-be decide to send you on a suicide mission - nice peeps, aren't they? Word family WORD FAMILYnounattackcounterattackattackeradjectiveattackingcounterattackingverbattackcounterattack 1violence against somebody/something [countable] an act of violence that is intended to hurt a person or damage a placeattack on There have been several attacks on foreigners recently. a bomb attack a knife attack an arson attack (=an attempt to destroy a building using fire) victims of racial attacks2in a war [countable, uncountable] the act of using weapons against an enemy in a war:  The attack began at dawn.attack on the attack on Pearl Harborbe/come under attack Once again we came under attack from enemy fighter planes. Rebel forces launched (=started) an attack late Sunday night.air/missile/nuclear etc attack the threat of nuclear attack3criticism [countable, uncountable] a strong and direct criticism of someone or somethingattack on The magazine recently published a vicious personal attack on the novelist.be/come under attack (=be strongly criticized) The company has come under fierce attack for its decision to close the factory.go on the attack (=start to criticize someone severely)4illness [countable] a sudden short period of suffering from an illness, especially an illness that you have oftenattack of I had a bad attack of flu at Christmas. He died after suffering a severe asthma attack. → heart attack5emotion [countable] a short period of time when you suddenly feel extremely frightened or worried and cannot think normally or deal with the situationpanic/anxiety attack Her heart began to pound frantically, as if she were having a panic attack.attack of a sudden attack of nerves6attempt to stop something [countable, uncountable] actions that are intended to get rid of or stop something such as a system, a set of laws etcattack on The new measures were seen by many as an attack on the Scottish way of life.7sport a)[countable, uncountable] an attempt by a player or group of players to score goals or win points b)[singular] British English the players in a team that are responsible for trying to score goals or win points SYN offense American English → defencein attack Heath will play alongside Smith in attack.8damage [countable, uncountable] when something such as a disease, insect, or chemical damages something:  Unfortunately, the carved ceilings have suffered woodworm attack over the years.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1NOUN + attacka bomb attack (=usually intended to achieve a political aim)· Animal rights activists are believed to have carried out the bomb attack.a terrorist attack· The accused men went on trial Monday for America’s worst-ever terrorist attack.a knife/gun attack· He was sentenced to nine years in prison for the knife attack.an arson attack (=intended to destroy a building by burning it)· Ten classrooms were completely destroyed in the arson attack.adjectivesa violent/vicious/brutal attack· Police described it as an extremely violent attack.a horrific attack· 'This was a horrific attack,' said Detective Chief Superintendent Ron Astles.a frenzied attack (=very violent and uncontrolled)· The woman was stabbed to death in a frenzied attack at her home.a racial attack· Staffordshire police are treating the incident as a racial attack.a sexual attack· There was no indication of a sexual attack.an unprovoked attack (=in which the victim did nothing to cause the attack)· Their teenage son was knocked to the ground, kicked and punched in an unprovoked attack.a motiveless attack (=that happens for no reason)· He was stabbed to death in an apparently motiveless attack.verbscarry out an attack· The man who carried out the attack has been described as white and 25 to 32 years old.an attack happens/takes place (also an attack occurs formal)· The attack took place at around 10 pm Thursday.phrasesa series/spate/wave of attacks (=a number of attacks in a row)· The killing follows a series of brutal attacks on tourists.the victim of an attack· She was the victim of an attack in her own home.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2ADJECTIVES/NOUN + attacka nuclear attack· They would not risk a nuclear attack on the United States.an all-out attack (=that is done with a lot of determination)· General Smith was in favour of an all-out attack on the enemy.a full-scale attack (=that uses all the available soldiers and weapons)· German troops launched a full-scale attack on the city.an armed attack· Armed attacks against Israeli settlements are on the increase.a surprise attack· We launched a surprise attack on their camp just before dawn.a missile/rocket/mortar attack· There were 15 dead and 20 wounded in a missile attack on the capital.an air/bomb attack (=an attack from a plane using bombs)· Malta was under heavy air attack.verbslaunch an attack· In April the French army launched an attack.lead/mount an attack· The King now prepared to mount an attack on Granada.come under attack· Camps in the south came under attack from pro-government forces.be under attack· He arrived when the base was under attack from mortar and small arms fire.THESAURUSattack noun [countable, uncountable] an act of using weapons against an enemy in a war: · The US was threatening to launch an attack on Iran.· The men had been carrying out rocket attacks on British forces.· Bombs have been falling throughout the night, and the city is still under attack (=being attacked).invasion noun [countable, uncountable] an occasion when an army enters a country and tries to take control of it: · The Allies began their invasion of Europe.· The threat of foreign invasion is very real.raid noun [countable] a short attack on a place by soldiers or planes, intended to cause damage but not take control: · an air raid· NATO warplanes carried out a series of bombing raids on the city.· The village has been the target of frequent raids by rebel groups.strike noun [countable] a sudden military attack, especially after a serious disagreement: · Senior Israeli officials warned that they were still considering a military strike.· the possibility of a nuclear strikeassault noun [countable] a military attack intended to take control of a city, area, or building controlled by an enemy: · The final military assault on Kwangju began at 3 am on May 27.· Hitler launched an all-out assault (=using as many soldiers, weapons, planes etc as possible) on Russia.ambush noun [countable, uncountable] a sudden attack by people who have been waiting and hiding, especially an attack on a vehicle or people who are travelling somewhere: · Five soldiers were shot in the back and killed in the ambush.· Enemy forces waiting in ambush opened fire on the vehicle.counterattack noun [countable, uncountable] a military attack made in response to an attack by an enemy: · Government forces launched a counterattack against the guerillas.· If they successfully occupied the city, they would need to be capable of defending it against enemy counterattack.onslaught noun [countable] formal a large violent attack by an army: · In 1544 there was a full-scale onslaught on France, in which the English took Boulogne.· The troops were preparing for another onslaught against the enemy. attack1 nounattack2 verb attackattack2 ●●● S3 W2 verb Entry menu MENU FOR attackattack1 use violence2 in a war3 criticize4 damage5 begin doing6 sport Word Origin WORD ORIGINattack2 Origin: 1600-1700 French attaquer, from Old Italian attaccare ‘to attach’, from stacca ‘sharp post’ Verb Table VERB TABLE attack Simple Form Present I, you, we, they attack he, she, it attacks Past I, you, he, she, it, we, they attacked Present perfect I, you, we, they have attacked he, she, it has attacked Past perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, they had attacked Future I, you, he, she, it, we, they will attack Future perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, they will have attacked Continuous Form Present I am attacking he, she, it is attacking you, we, they are attacking Past I, he, she, it was attacking you, we, they were attacking Present perfect I, you, we, they have been attacking he, she, it has been attacking Past perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, they had been attacking Future I, you, he, she, it, we, they will be attacking Future perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, they will have been attacking Examples EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES A woman was attacked by three youths while she was out jogging in Central Park. Brown Bears have been know to attack human beings. General Powell consulted with the President before giving the order to attack. Guerrillas attacked an army patrol. He was badly injured when one of his own bulls attacked him. Her husband attacked her with a knife. Many women feel vulnerable to attack. On 25 April, British and Australian troops attacked the enemy at Gallipoli. Police dogs are trained to attack in certain circumstances. Several actors have attacked proposals to cut the theatre's budget. The bill has been attacked because it will put loggers out of work. The Canadian team began to attack more in the second half of the game. The special unit attacked at dawn, inflicting heavy losses. The village had been attacked by enemy warplanes. The virus attacks the body's immune system. There are several ways to attack the problem of rising rents. Union leaders attacked management for eliminating employee health benefits. EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS A hostile nation has attacked with the silent and invisible weapons of cyberspace. But potential obstacles can not be allowed to attack the legitimacy or undermine the potential feasibility of a new state. Nine days ago, a 26 year old woman was also attacked as she walked along New Road. Silence reigned for some time as they attacked the meal. What's happened to it, have you been attacked by tigers? Whoever is afraid of cholera will be attacked, and no treatment can save him. Yet when Ruksana Khan was attacked, the Home Secretary visited her in hospital and everything. Thesaurus THESAURUSto attack a person► attack to use violence against someone and try to hurt them: · She was attacked by a man with a baseball bat.· Police dogs are trained to attack. ► ambush if a group of people ambush someone, they hide and wait for them and then attack them: · The judge was ambushed by gunmen as he drove to work at the courthouse. ► mug to attack someone and take money from them in a public place such as a street: · He was mugged on his way home from school. ► stab to attack someone with a knife: · The victim had been stabbed in the neck. ► assault to attack and hurt someone – used especially when talking about this as a criminal offence: · He assaulted a flight attendant who refused to serve him more drinks. ► be set upon by somebody/something written to be attacked by a group of people: · He died outside his home after being set upon by a gang of youths. ► turn on to suddenly change your behaviour and attack the person you are with, when they do not expect this: · The dog suddenly turned on him, sinking its teeth into his arm. to attack a place► attack to use weapons to try to damage or take control of a place: · The village was attacked by enemy warplanes.· We will attack at dawn. ► invade to enter a country and try to get control of it using force: · The Romans invaded Britain 2,000 years ago. ► storm to suddenly attack a city or building that is well defended by getting inside it and taking control: · Elite troops stormed the building and rescued the hostages. ► besiege to surround a city or building with soldiers in order to stop the people inside from getting out or from receiving supplies: · In April 655, Osman’s palace was besieged by rebels. Longman Language Activatorto attack someone► attack to use violence against someone and try to hurt them: · A woman was attacked by three youths while she was out jogging in Central Park.· Police dogs are trained to attack in certain circumstances.· He was badly injured when one of his own bulls attacked him. attack somebody with something: · Her husband attacked her with a knife. ► mug to attack someone and take money from them in a public place such as a street: · Since moving to New Jersey, he has been mugged at gunpoint twice.· If anyone ever tried to mug me, I would throw my bag and run.get mugged: · I was scared I would get mugged or raped. ► assault to attack and hurt someone - use this especially to talk about the crime of attacking someone: · He assaulted a female flight attendant who refused to serve him more drinks.· Some supporters ran onto the field and assaulted the referee.sexually assault somebody: · She was kidnapped and sexually assaulted at gunpoint. ► stab to attack someone by pushing a knife into them: · The victim had been stabbed six times.stab somebody in something: · Meyers was stabbed once in the abdomen and once in the neck.stab at: · Her assailant lunged, stabbing at her again and again. ► go for to attack someone with a sudden violent movement: go for somebody: · Charlie went for Murray as soon as he entered the room, pushing him up against the wall.go for somebody with something: · One day Grandma got so mad she went for Grandpa with the kitchen knife.go for somebody's throat/ears/eyes etc: · The dog went straight for my throat, without warning.· If you are attacked, go for your attacker's eyes as they are the most vulnerable part of the face. ► lay into to attack someone very violently, hitting them repeatedly and without control: lay into somebody: · From the moment the bell rang, Tyson laid into his opponent.lay into somebody with something: · The video shows a policeman repeatedly laying into a protestor with his baton. to attack someone suddenly and unexpectedly► ambush if a group of people ambush someone, they hide and wait for them and then suddenly attack them: · The rebel group successfully ambushed a regiment of American reinforcements.· He was afraid he would be stopped by government troops or, even worse, ambushed by the Vietcong. · Parker ambushed a school bus on a field trip and held 17 children and their teacher hostage. ► be set upon by to suddenly be attacked by people or animals, especially when you are going somewhere - used especially in written or literary contexts: · He had been set upon by bat-wielding racists, so he understood how I felt.· The drivers were set upon by a mob, including several women, which showered them with stones. ► turn on also turn upon to suddenly attack someone you are with, especially when it is very unexpected: · Red with rage, Frank turned on Anna, grasping her arm in a vice-like grip.· Then the warriors turned upon each other, for a fight to the death. ► strike to make a quick sudden attack especially on someone who is not expecting to be attacked: · They felt sure the killer would strike again, but could not say when.· The police struck at dawn in a carefully timed operation to catch the bombers. ► pounce to suddenly jump on another person from a place where you have been hiding, in order to catch or attack them: be ready/waiting/set to pounce: · He crouched on the ground, like an animal ready to pounce.pounce on: · Before he could rescue it, the cat pounced on the bird and carried it to the bushes. ► jump informal to attack someone suddenly and usually from behind, in order to injure them or to rob them: · Two guys tried to jump me in the park last night.· He climbed over the wall and jumped the guard, easily overpowering him. to attack a place or country► attack to attack a place or country using weapons, aircraft, soldiers etc: · On 25 April, British and Australian troops attacked the enemy at Gallipoli.· The village had been attacked by enemy warplanes.· The special unit attacked at dawn, inflicting heavy losses.· General Powell consulted with the President before giving the order to attack. ► invade if a country's army invades another country, it enters it and tries to control it: · Enemy forces were almost certainly preparing to invade.· Sicily was invaded by the Normans, and later by the Saracens.· In his latest film, super-intelligent aliens invade Earth and try to take over. ► raid if a group of soldiers raids a place or town belonging to an enemy, they attack it suddenly and without any warning and cause a lot of damage in a short time: · The rebels raided the tiny mountain town early on Tuesday.· Again, the tribe had raided a neighbouring village, inflicting many casualties. ► launch an attack/mount an attack also launch an invasion/mount an invasion to start to attack an enemy's army, country, or property, in a planned way: · A fresh attack was mounted on the last remaining rebels.· The Huns, normally a peaceful race, launched an invasion into Europe via the Caspian Steppes. ► storm to suddenly attack a city or building that is well-defended by getting inside it and taking control: · Heavily armed and masked gunmen stormed an ammunitions store in Co. Mayo.· an attempt by government forces to storm the hijacked airplane ► besiege to surround a city or building with soldiers in order to stop the people inside from getting out or from receiving supplies such as food and water: · The capital has been besieged by the opposition militia for two months now.· Federal agents besieged the compound in Waco in 1993. to attack someone because they attacked you► retaliate to attack someone because they have attacked you first: · The government wants peace, but will not hesitate to retaliate if attacked.· She decided not to retaliate physically, because it would put her in even greater danger.retaliate by doing something: · When police tried to push back the crowd, a few youths retaliated by throwing stones at them.· Later that day, whites retaliated by killing a young black delivery driver. retaliate against: · He has promised to take tough measures to retaliate against extremists. retaliate for (=because of what someone has done to you): · In an interview, Tyson claimed he was retaliating for Holyfield's attack on him.retaliate with: · I fully accept that it was wrong of the guards to retaliate with blows and kicks. ► counter-attack an attack that an army makes after it has been attacked by an enemy: · The enemy had started a vicious counter-attack, forcing the French into the woods.launch/mount a counter-attack: · Allied forces were regrouping in order to launch a counter-attack. ► hit back/strike back to attack a person or army that has attacked you first, especially in order to try and show that you are very strong and cannot be defeated: · The tanks and artillery will hit back hard if the ceasefire is broken.hit back/strike back with: · Less than 24 hours after this cross-border raid, army jets hit back with a devastating air strike.hit back/strike back at: · He suspected that the US would take the opportunity to strike back at the Axis forces. ► tit-for-tat : tit-for-tat killings/murders/response etc a killing, reaction etc done because someone has done something similar to someone in your group: · Any hope of peace is destroyed by these endless tit-for-tat attacks.· The murder is thought to have been a tit-for-tat response by the Mafia to an earlier gangland killing. an attack against a person► attack when someone uses violence against another person and tries to hurt them: · The attack took place as she was walking home.racial/sexual/physical attack: · Fong did not suffer a physical attack, but he was humiliated by the three men. · victims of racial attacks · There was no indication of a sexual attack.attack on: · They finally caught the gang responsible for the armed attacks on foreigners in Dakar.· New statistics show a further increase in attacks on women.vicious/nasty/unprovoked etc attack: · Police say it was a particularly nasty attack.· a number of brutal and unprovoked attacks on gays ► mugging an attack on someone in a public place such as a street, in order to steal something from them: · Preston was a victim of a mugging three months ago.a spate/series of muggings (=several muggings in a short period of time): · Police are investigating a spate of muggings that took place on the campus last week. ► assault an attack on someone - use this especially when talking about the crime of attacking someone: · The charges against the prisoner include criminal damage and assault.indecent/sexual/violent assault: · He was convicted of adultery and indecent assault.· the problem of domestic violence and sexual assault within the homeassault on: · Assaults on public transportation workers have doubled in the last 10 years. a military attack► attack when a military force attacks a place or country, using weapons, aircraft, soldiers etc: · The attack began at dawn.· The caller warned that the attacks will continue until the demands are met.attack on: · missile attacks on civilian targetsnaval/air/artillery/terrorist etc attack: · The city is exposed and vulnerable to air attack.· Eleven people were injured in a rocket attack on Sunday night.launch/mount an attack: · International terrorists have mounted an attack aimed at disrupting the huge tourist industry here.go on the attack (=start to attack someone or something): · To my horror, the soldiers went on the attack, killing men, women and children indiscriminately. ► invasion when an army from one country enters another country and tries to control it: · The fear of an invasion by rebels is always present.foreign/military etc invasion: · Some analysts fear that increasing desperation could lead to a military invasion of the country's southern neighbors.· the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia ► raid a short quick attack by a group of soldiers, planes, or ships on a place that belongs to an enemy: military/bombing/aerial etc raid: · He led a commando raid in the desert.· a surprise raid · NATO bombing raidsair raid (=one carried out by planes dropping bombs): · Some of the most beautiful architecture in the city was destroyed in the air raids.· air-raid sirensraid on/against: · Sixty people are thought to have been killed in the raid on the village just west of the capital.· John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry· As a teenager, he was involved in a raid against a village of Omaha Indians. ► ambush a sudden attack by a group of soldiers who have been hiding and waiting for someone: be killed/shot etc in an ambush: · Six or seven of the passengers were killed in an ambush on the narrowest part of the road.lie/wait in ambush (=wait in order to ambush): · They moved slowly, knowing that in the next clump of trees enemy soldiers might be lying in ambush. ► assault a military attack to take control of a place controlled by the enemy: aerial/military/naval etc assault: · a massive armed assault on the cityassault on/against: · Only a successful assault on the rebels' headquarters could have ended the civil war. ► strike a sudden attack, especially one from the air, using bombs: · The rebels launched a retaliatory strike.air/nuclear/missile etc strike: · The bomb strike took place on a camp near Krek. · nuclear strike capability ► offensive a planned attack involving large forces and often taking place over several weeks or months, especially as part of a plan to win a war: military/nuclear/air etc offensive: · The great military offensive had failed, and it seemed victory was escaping them.· The rebel offensive resumed on Thursday, leaving 12 dead and many injured.launch/mount an offensive: · Government troops launched an offensive against UNITA positions in the north. offensive on/against: · The President announced a counter-offensive on the rebels. ► aggression the act of attacking a country, especially when that country has not attacked first - used especially in political contexts: · The invasion was condemned as 'blatant aggression' by the British Prime Minister.· The President promised to use all his powers to prevent further aggression.armed/foreign/military etc agression: · another example of communist aggressionaggression against: · As our older generation knows from experience, unchecked aggression against a small nation is a prelude to international disaster.an act of aggression: · Any eastward expansion would be regarded by the government as an act of aggression. a person or place that attacks another person or country► attacker also assailant formal someone who attacks another person: · Unknown assailants stabbed a British tourist and wounded his wife. · The attacker fled empty-handed.your/his/her etc attacker (=the person who attacked you/him/her etc): · Her attacker is described as white, in his mid-fifties and with medium-length dark hair.· Mrs Lundy's alleged assailants were aquitted of all charges. ► aggressor a country that attacks another country, especially when that country has not already attacked first: · The situation is complex and it is not easy to determine exactly who is the aggressor in this case.military/foreign etc aggressor: · a call for united action against the foreign aggressor· The USSR scored valuable propaganda points against its Western aggressors. a person or place that is attacked► victim someone who has been attacked: · In most sexual offences, the attacker is known to the victim.· The victim was shaken, but physically unharmed.murder/rape/torture etc victim: · The program was grossly insensitive to Holocaust victims.· One of the bombing victims was dead on arrival in hospital.victim of: · She had been the victim of a particularly vicious attack.· victims of domestic abuse ► target a person or place that someone, especially a military group, has chosen to attack: · The bomb missed its target by several kilometres.military/civilian target: · The GIA continued its attacks on civilian targets.target zone/area: · When the plane gets to the target area, it drops the missile and returns to base.target of: · The Institution has been the target of terrorist attack several times.· The commonly used roads are the targets of heavy fire.prime target (=very obvious and probable target): · Holding a US passport makes these tourists a prime target for terrorists. ► be under attack if an army or place is under attack , it is being attacked: · The rebels are under attack and may surrender at any time.be under attack from: · At first, he thought the Pacific Fleet was under attack from German forces.come under attack (=begin to be attacked): · We were united by a sense of national pride when our country came under attack. easy to attack► vulnerable easy to attack, damage, or enter by force: · His victims are vulnerable young women. · Ground floor windows are particularly vulnerable and secure locks should be fitted.vulnerable to: · The tanks' positions made them vulnerable to enemy gunfire. ► sitting duck someone who is very easy to attack because they cannot move or they can only move very slowly: · The troops in their bunkers were sitting ducks for enemy missiles.· We were like sitting ducks, our only defense a small shed surrounded by a few concrete blocks. ► be an easy target to be very easy to see or find and therefore easy to attack: · I knew that in our current position, we were an all-too-easy target for thieves and bandits.make an easy target: · Women living alone make easy targets for robbers. to strongly criticize someone or something► attack to strongly and publicly criticize a person, plan, or belief that you completely disagree with: · Several actors have attacked proposals to cut the theatre's budget.attack somebody for (doing) something: · Union leaders attacked management for eliminating employee health benefits. ► slam to criticize someone or something very strongly in a public statement -- used especially in newspapers: · Sullivan never misses a chance to slam the tobacco industry.slam somebody for doing something: · Police slammed drivers for ignoring safety warnings. ► pan to strongly criticize something such as a film, play, or a performance by writing about it in a newspaper, talking about it on television etc: · The movie was panned by all the critics. ► tear something to shreds to find a lot of faults in someone's ideas or arguments and criticize them very severely: · After the prosecutor had presented his case, the defence lawyer tore his arguments to shreds. ► pillory if someone is pilloried , they are criticized very strongly and publicly by a lot of people: · Harper was pilloried in the press after his team's sixth consecutive defeat.· Middleton suffered the ultimate humiliation of being pilloried by his colleagues in front of the television cameras. ► do a hatchet job on informal to criticize every part of someone's character or work: · Field did a complete hatchet job on his former colleague at a cabinet meeting last week. ► lay into informal to criticize someone very strongly for something they have done: · The teacher really laid into us this morning -- told us we'd all fail if we didn't start doing some work.lay into about: · You should have heard my wife laying into me about coming home late last night. WORD SETS► Sport ace, nounace, verbacrobat, nounacrobatic, adjectiveacrobatics, nounaction replay, nounaerobic, adjectiveaim, nounaim, verball-American, adjectiveall-seater, adjectivearena, nounAstroTurf, nounattack, verbaway, adverbaway, adjectiveback, nounbackhand, nounbackhanded, adjectivebackhander, nounbackspin, nounball, nounball game, nounbaseline, nounbat, nounbench, verbbleachers, nounblock, nounbobble, verbbout, nounbowl, nounbowl, verbbowling alley, nounbowling ball, nounbowling green, nounbox, nounbox, verbboxer, nounbronze, nounbronze medal, nounbye, nouncall, verbcall, nouncap, verbcaptain, nouncaptain, verbcaptaincy, nounchange, verbchanging room, nouncheer, nouncheerleader, nouncheerleading, nounchip, nounchip, verbcircuit training, nounclose season, nounclubhouse, nouncoach, nounconference, nouncontender, nouncourse, nouncourse, verbcourt, nouncover, verbcross, verbcross, nouncross-country, adjectivecrown, nouncup, nouncup final, nouncup tie, nouncurve, noundead, adjectivedecider, noundefence, noundefend, verbdefender, noundefensive, adjectivederby, noundisallow, verbdisqualify, verbdivision, noundivot, noundown, adverbdraft, noundraw, verbdraw, noundribble, verbdribble, noundrive, noundrop, verbdrop goal, noundropkick, noundrop shot, noundrubbing, noundugout, nouneleven, numberequalize, verbequalizer, nouneven, adjectiveevent, nounface, nounfast, adjectivefavourite, nounfeint, nounfield, verbfielder, nounfieldsman, nounfield sports, nounfight, verbfight, nounfighter, nounfinalist, nounfirst half, nounfirst-string, adjectivefixture, nounflat, adjectiveflip, nounfollow-through, nounfootball, nounfootwork, nounform, nounfoul, nounfoul line, nounfriendly, adjectivefull-court press, nounfull time, nounfumble, verbgala, noungame, noungame point, noungate, noungoal, noungoalie, noungoalkeeper, noungoalless, adjectivegoal line, noungoalmouth, noungoalpost, noungoaltender, noungold, noungold medal, noungrand slam, noungrandstand, nounground staff, noungym shoe, noungymslip, nounhalf, nounhalfback, nounhalf nelson, nounhalf-time, nounhammer, nounhandball, nounhand-eye co-ordination, nounhandicap, nounhandspring, nounhandstand, nounhat trick, nounhead start, nounheat, nounheavy, adjectivehiding, nounhome, adjectivein, adverbinfield, nouninjury time, nouninterference, nouninternational, nounjersey, nounjock, nounjockstrap, nounjogging suit, nounjump, nounjump ball, nounjumper, nounjumping jack, nounjump shot, nounjunior varsity, nounlane, nounleague table, nounletter, nounletter, verblevel, verblineman, nounlinesman, nounline-up, nounlocker, nounlocker room, nounluge, nounmallet, nounmanager, nounmark, verbmassacre, nounmassacre, verbmatch, nounmedal, nounmedallist, nounmeeting, nounMexican wave, nounmidfield, nounmisfield, verbmixed doubles, nounmotocross, nounmotor racing, nounmuff, verbmusclebound, adjectivemuscleman, nounnet, nounnet, verbnetball, nounnil, nounno ball, nounoarsman, nounoarswoman, nounobstruction, nounoffense, nounoffensive, adjectiveoffside, adjectiveOlympiad, nounOlympic, adjectiveOlympic Games, the, onside, adjectiveopener, nounopponent, nounout, adverbout, nounoutdistance, verboutsider, nounoverarm, adjectiveoverhand, adjectiveown goal, nounpacesetter, nounpass, verbpass, nounPE, nounpenalty, nounpep rally, nounperiod, nounphoto finish, nounphysical education, nounpitch, nounplace kick, nounplayable, adjectiveplay-by-play, nounplayer, nounplaying field, nounplay-off, nounpoint, nounpole, verbposition, nounpossession, nounpost, nounpreliminary, nounpro-am, nounprofessionalism, nounpromote, verbpromotion, nounPT, nounpull, verbpull-up, nounpummel, verbpunchbag, nounqualifier, nounqualify, verbquarter-final, nounrace, verbracetrack, nounracing, adjectiveracket, nounrain check, nounrally, nounrecord, nounrecord-holder, nounrecreation ground, nounref, nounreferee, nounreferee, verbregatta, nounrelay, nounrelay race, nounrelegate, verbreplay, verbreplay, nounrerun, verbreserve, nounretire, verbreturn, verbrevenge, nounringside, nounroll, nounrookie, nounround, nounround robin, nounrunner, nounrunner-up, nounrun-up, nounsave, verbsave, nounscore, nounscore, verbscorer, nounscratch, verbscratch, adjectivescreen, nounscrimmage, nounselector, nounsemi, nounsemi-final, nounsemi-finalist, nounsemi-professional, adjectiveserve, verbserve, nounserver, nounservice, nounset, nounshoot, verbshoot, nounshot, nounsideline, nounsilver, nounsilver medal, nounskate, nounskipper, nounslaughter, verbslice, verbslick, nounslump, nounsnowmobile, nounsnowshoe, nounsomersault, nounsouthpaw, nounspar, verbsparring partner, nounspectate, verbspectator, nounspectator sport, nounspin, nounsports centre, nounsports day, nounsportsmanship, nounsporty, adjectivespot, verbsprint, verbsquad, nounstadium, nounstagger, verbstart, nounstarter, nounstarting blocks, nounstayer, nounstick, nounstraight, nounstrip, nounstroke, nounstud, nounsub, nounsudden death, nounsweatband, nounsweatpants, nounsweat suit, nountackle, verbtackle, nountalent scout, nountarget, nounteam-mate, nounthree-legged race, nounthrow, nounthrust, verbtie, nountiebreaker, nountight, adjectivetime, verbtimekeeper, nountime out, nountitle, nountitle holder, nountopspin, nountoreador, nountour, nountournament, nountrack, nountrain, verbtransfer fee, nountrophy, nountryout, nounumpire, nounumpire, verbunbeatable, adjectiveundecided, adjectiveunderarm, adverbunderhand, adverbunplaced, adjectiveuppercut, nounvarsity, nounvolley, nounvolley, verbwalking, nounwarm-up, nounwet suit, nounwhippet, nounwhistle, verbwhistle, nounwin, nounwing, nounwinger, nounworkout, nounwristband, noun Collocations COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY► strongly/bitterly/savagely etc attack somebody/something COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► all-out war/attack/offensive etc ► arson attack  The school was destroyed in an arson attack. ► asthmatic attack  an asthmatic attack ► a bomb attack · No one has yet claimed responsibility for the bomb attack. ► brutal murder/attack/assault  a brutal attack on a defenceless old man ► carry out an attack · It became clear that terrorists had carried out the attack. ► carry out an attack · It became clear that terrorists had carried out the attack. ► a critic attacks something · Many critics attacked Seurat’s paintings for their lack of colour. ► cross-border attack/raid ► fierce attack/opposition/criticism etc  The government’s policies came under fierce attack. ► frenzied attack  A woman was stabbed to death in a frenzied attack on her home tonight. ► full frontal attack  a full frontal attack on the government ► full-scale attack/war/riot etc ► have/suffer a heart attack ► horrific crash/accident/attack etc  a horrific plane crash ► indiscriminate attacks/killing/violence/bombing etc  terrorists responsible for indiscriminate killing ► a knife attack · He was sentenced to 9 years in prison for a knife attack. ► launch an attack/assault/offensive  The press launched a vicious attack on the president. ► lead an attack/assault  Nelson preferred to lead the attack himself from the front. ► line of fire/attack/movement etc (=the direction in which someone shoots, attacks, moves etc) I was directly in the animal’s line of attack. ► massive stroke/heart attack etc  He suffered a massive stroke. ► mortar attack  a mortar attack ► mount an assault/attack  Guerrillas have mounted an attack on the capital. ► an attack of nerves (=a time when you feel very nervous)· Harrison had an attack of nerves before the match. ► a panic attack · He had had a panic attack in the street. ► physically attack somebody · It was the first time he had ever physically attacked anybody. ► a plan of attack (=a plan to attack or achieve something)· At this stage, you go back to the office and work on a plan of attack. ► pre-emptive strike/attack  a series of pre-emptive strikes on guerrilla bases ► a racial attack · He was the victim of a racial attack. ► a revenge attack · The camp was burned down, apparently in a revenge attack. ► scathing attack/remark/comment etc  a scathing attack on the government’s planned tax increases ► suffer a heart attack/stroke · He died after suffering a massive heart attack. ► a surprise attack · Instead they launched a successful surprise attack on the castle. ► attack a target · They have attacked military targets such as army camps and airfields. ► a terrorist attack/bombing/act · More than 50 people were injured in the terrorist attack. ► veiled attack on  His speech is being seen as a veiled attack on asylum-seekers. ► a violent attack · Blacks were more often victims of violent attacks than other ethnic groups. ► a wave of violence/attacks/bombings · The incident triggered a wave of violence. Phrases PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► biological weapons/warfare/attack etc He knew then that the mystery of Titron was only partly explained by the secret biological warfare establishment. Regional conflicts - along with the proliferation of missiles and nuclear, chemical and biological weapons - present growing dangers. Schwarzkopf strongly defended his field commanders from allegations that they were careless about chemical and biological weapons. We tend to focus on nuclear but chemical and biological weapons, while not as devastating, would be plenty bad. ► blistering attack/criticism etc Bates also launched a blistering attack on the sports minister Kate Hoey. The most humiliating thing for Mr Major was not the fact that it was Mr Lamont who made the blistering attack. The religious press in the first decade of pentecostal history teems with blistering attacks on the new movement. ► come under attack/fire/scrutiny etc At a deeper level, however, the concept of the mentally abnormal female offender has come under scrutiny. He added that to be accurate, the aircraft would have to risk coming under fire. He said the company came under scrutiny along with other insurers after allegations were first made against Metropolitan Life in 1993. In addition to facing the ire of frustrated riders, Muni has also come under fire recently from federal safety officials. Patrick is generally regarded as having been an aggressive enforcer of civil-rights laws and often came under fire from conservatives. Police came under attack from bottles, bricks and plastic crates. Sir Derek came under fire from several shareholders. Their vehicle came under fire but was not hit. ► concerted effort/action/attack etc As part of a concerted effort to reinvigorate residential communities, 2, 000 new houses have sprung up since 1990. He said the pledge was meaningless unless a concerted effort was made to find legislative time for outstanding recommendations. However, with a concerted effort, this research could be completed within 2 years. If we are going to maintain the modern world, then concerted action for the future is urgently needed. Prompt response to requests would help to ease the pressure as would a concerted effort being made to increase membership. She has also made a concerted effort to improve her knowledge. The end of the story, of course, is that the students' concerted efforts around the nation worked. This change is part of a concerted effort to raise our profile with our international customers. ► copycat crime/attack etc However, 44% of you feel that these reports should leave the gory details out and 39% feel they encourage copycat crimes. What about fingerprints, copycat crimes and serial murders? ► frontal attack/assault A full frontal assault right in the snout. But the frontal assault on Cobdenite assumptions was the challenge to free trade itself. Efforts should then be entirely concentrated on the frontal attack. Gorbad, still weak from the wound suffered at Grunberg, was unprepared for a frontal assault. If we were fit, a frontal assault would be suicide. The congress went further, straying close to a frontal attack on the ruling party. They are a frontal assault of the Devil not only upon believers but on human beings everywhere. ► give somebody/have a heart attack Doctors at Leicester Royal Infirmary are to assess the benefits of giving magnesium to heart attack victims immediately after an attack. I will surely give some one a heart attack ... I have varicose veins in my legs. That ought to give Francois a heart attack. ► smash-and-grab raid/attack etc► stinging attack/report/letter etc Mr Smith launched a stinging attack on John Major, ridiculing him as a man who has lost control of events. The company which used to give £40,000 a year to Tory funds, launched a stinging attack on Government policies. What upsets her much more than the two columns is a stinging letter to the editor published in the sports pages. ► suicide attack/mission/bombing etc As Delbert saw it, they went on suicide missions, which was just the kind of action he wanted. His suicide mission came as a surprise to more people than just his family. The powers-that-be decide to send you on a suicide mission - nice peeps, aren't they? Word family WORD FAMILYnounattackcounterattackattackeradjectiveattackingcounterattackingverbattackcounterattack 1use violence [intransitive, transitive] to deliberately use violence to hurt a person or damage a place:  She was attacked while walking home late at night. His shop was attacked by a gang of youths. Snakes will only attack if you disturb them.attack somebody/something with something He needed 200 stitches after being attacked with a broken bottle.2in a war [intransitive, transitive] to start using guns, bombs etc against an enemy in a war:  Army tanks attacked a village near the capital on Sunday.3criticize [transitive] to criticize someone or something very strongly:  Last year Dr Travis publicly attacked the idea that abortion should be available on demand.attack somebody for (doing) something Newspapers attacked the government for failing to cut taxes.strongly/bitterly/savagely etc attack somebody/something► see thesaurus at criticize4damage [transitive] if something such as a disease, insect, or chemical attacks something, it damages it:  a cruel disease that attacks the brain and nervous system5begin doing [transitive] to begin to do something in a determined and eager way:  She immediately set about attacking the problem. Martin attacked his meal (=started eating) with vigour.6sport [intransitive, transitive] to move forward and try to score goals or win points → defend:  Brazil began to attack more in the second half of the match.THESAURUSto attack a personattack to use violence against someone and try to hurt them: · She was attacked by a man with a baseball bat.· Police dogs are trained to attack.ambush /ˈæmbʊʃ/ if a group of people ambush someone, they hide and wait for them and then attack them: · The judge was ambushed by gunmen as he drove to work at the courthouse.mug to attack someone and take money from them in a public place such as a street: · He was mugged on his way home from school.stab to attack someone with a knife: · The victim had been stabbed in the neck.assault to attack and hurt someone – used especially when talking about this as a criminal offence: · He assaulted a flight attendant who refused to serve him more drinks.be set upon by somebody/something written to be attacked by a group of people: · He died outside his home after being set upon by a gang of youths.turn on to suddenly change your behaviour and attack the person you are with, when they do not expect this: · The dog suddenly turned on him, sinking its teeth into his arm.to attack a placeattack to use weapons to try to damage or take control of a place: · The village was attacked by enemy warplanes.· We will attack at dawn.invade to enter a country and try to get control of it using force: · The Romans invaded Britain 2,000 years ago.storm to suddenly attack a city or building that is well defended by getting inside it and taking control: · Elite troops stormed the building and rescued the hostages.besiege /bɪˈsiːdʒ/ to surround a city or building with soldiers in order to stop the people inside from getting out or from receiving supplies: · In April 655, Osman’s palace was besieged by rebels.
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