pounce
gb/pˈaʊns/ us/pˈaʊns/
B2
English
ráugrik, ráveti magát, lecsap, ráugrás
VERB
B2
1
ráugrik
B1
ráveti magát
B2
Usage pattern:
pounce (on/upon) [someone/something]
The cat crouched low and then pounced on the toy mouse.
A macska mélyen lekuporodott, aztán ráugrott a játékegérre.
As soon as the door opened, the dog pounced on its owner in excitement.
Amint kinyílt az ajtó, a kutya izgatottan ráugrott a gazdájára.
The owl pounced on a vole and flew off.
Learner examples
The cat pounced on the ball.
A macska ráugrott a labdára.
The tiger pounced on its prey.
A tigris ráugrott a zsákmányára.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse it with "bounce" (to move up and down) or use it without the usual idea of suddenness.
Meaning
jump suddenly to attack
Collocations
pounce on prey
|pounce on a mouse
|pounce on the ball
|pounce on an intruder
|cat pounced
|lion pounced
|suddenly pounce
|pounce from the shadows
|pounce and grab
|ready to pounce
Synonyms
spring (Often suggests a sudden jump, but less strongly linked to catching prey.)
|
leap (General jumping; may not imply attacking or grabbing.)
|
lunge (A sudden forward movement, often aggressive, not necessarily a jump.)
|
ambush (Focuses on surprise attack, not the physical jump itself.)
Antonyms
retreat (Move back instead of attacking or jumping forward.)
|
withdraw (Pull away rather than move in suddenly.)
Themes
animals
|movement
|conflict
Definition
to jump suddenly to catch or attack
To jump or spring suddenly, especially in order to catch, attack, or grab someone or something.
VERB
C1
2
lecsap
B2
Usage pattern:
pounce on/upon [an opportunity/mistake/remark] (for [reason])
Investors pounced on the stock after the company raised its forecast.
A befektetők azonnal lecsaptak a részvényre, miután a cég megemelte az előrejelzését.
Her coworkers pounced on one small error in the report.
A munkatársai rögtön lecsaptak a jelentés egyetlen apró hibájára.
The opposition party pounced on the minister’s remarks.
Learner examples
I pounced on the chance to travel.
Azonnal lecsaptam az utazási lehetőségre.
They pounced on his mistake.
Azonnal lecsaptak a hibájára.
Common mistake:
Often needs "on" or "upon" ("pounce on an opportunity"). Using it for slow or careful action sounds unnatural.
Meaning
act quickly to seize or criticize
Collocations
pounce on an opportunity
|pounce on the chance
|pounce on a bargain
|pounce on a mistake
|pounce on a comment
|pounce on a weakness
|pounce on the news
|critics pounced
|the media pounced
|opponents pounced
Synonyms
seize (More formal; emphasizes taking control of an opportunity.)
|
jump at (Informal; emphasizes eagerness to accept a chance.)
|
capitalize on (More business-like; emphasizes using something to gain an advantage.)
|
pounce on (Same verb; highlights speed and aggressiveness (included here for sense clarity).)
Antonyms
hesitate (Delay or be uncertain instead of acting immediately.)
|
miss (Fail to take an opportunity.)
|
ignore (Do not react to a mistake or opportunity.)
Themes
business
|media
|social_dynamics
|competition
Definition
to act very fast to use an opportunity or to criticize a mistake
To react very quickly and eagerly to take advantage of something, or to quickly criticize or attack someone for a mistake or weakness.
NOUN
C1
3
ráugrás
B2
Usage pattern:
make a pounce (on/upon) [someone/something]
With one pounce, the cat had the string in its mouth.
Egyetlen ráugrással a macska már a szájában tartotta a madzagot.
The fox’s pounce was fast, but the rabbit escaped.
A róka gyors ráugrása ellenére a nyúl elmenekült.
A single pounce sent the bird fluttering into the air.
Learner examples
The cat made a pounce.
A macska hirtelen ráugrott.
One pounce caught the toy.
Egyetlen ráugrással elkapta a játékot.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse it for any jump; it typically suggests a quick, attacking movement.
Meaning
a sudden jump or attack
Collocations
a sudden pounce
|with one pounce
|a quick pounce
|a pounce on its prey
|make a pounce
|the pounce of a cat
|a pounce from the bushes
|perfect pounce
Synonyms
lunge (A sudden forward movement; not always a jump.)
|
spring (Focuses on the jump itself, less on attacking.)
|
attack (General; lacks the specific image of a quick jump.)
Antonyms
retreat (Movement away rather than toward in attack.)
|
pause (A stop instead of sudden action.)
Themes
animals
|movement
Definition
a sudden jump to catch something
A sudden, forceful jump or attack, especially one made to catch or grab something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pounce
IPA
GB/pˈaʊns/
US/pˈaʊns/
Syllables & stress
pounce (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (pounce)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pounce
- Plural: pounces
Verb
- Base: pounce
- 3rd Person Singular: pounces
- Present Participle: pouncing
- Past: pounced
Word family
Forms
pounces
noun
pouncing
verb
pounced
verb
Related words
pouncer
noun
Expressions
ready to pounce
1/ɹˈɛdi tə pˈaʊns/
fixed phrase
prepared to act immediately
prepared to act or criticize right away
Examples
- He looked ready to pounce the moment anyone disagreed with him.
- The press were ready to pounce on any sign of scandal.
- She stayed calm, even though her rivals were ready to pounce.
Learner examples
- My boss was ready to pounce on mistakes.