ambush
To attack or surprise someone suddenly, usually when you are hiding and they do not expect it.
To attack, confront, or trap someone suddenly and unexpectedly, especially from a hidden or prepared position.
A surprise attack from a place where people are hiding and waiting.
A sudden attack in which people hide and wait for their target, or the situation in which such an attack happens.
- Base: ambush
- Plural: ambush, ambushes
- Base: ambush
- 3rd Person Singular: ambushes
- Present Participle: ambushing
- Past: ambushed
ambush interview
1Sudden, unplanned interview
An interview where a reporter suddenly asks questions without warning, often in a public place.
- The politician refused to answer questions in an ambush interview outside his home.
- Some journalists criticize ambush interviews as unfair and aggressive.
ambush marketing
1Marketing tied to events without sponsorship
A marketing method where a company tries to look connected to a big event, like the Olympics, even though it is not an official sponsor.
- The organizers accused the sportswear company of ambush marketing during the tournament.
- New rules were introduced to stop ambush marketing at major international events.
be caught in an ambush
1Be suddenly attacked in ambush
To suddenly be in the middle of a surprise attack.
- Two journalists were caught in an ambush while traveling with the troops.
- Civilians were caught in an ambush and had to hide in nearby houses.
fall into an ambush
1Be caught by an ambush
To be caught by people who have prepared a surprise attack.
- The soldiers fell into an ambush as they entered the village.
- Several officers fell into an ambush while following the suspects.
lay an ambush
1Secretly prepare a surprise attack
To secretly prepare a place where you will hide and make a surprise attack.
- The guerrillas laid an ambush along the narrow road.
- They laid an ambush for the convoy at the bridge.
lie in ambush
1Hide and wait to attack
To stay hidden and wait so that you can attack someone by surprise.
- Armed men were lying in ambush on both sides of the road.
- The soldiers lay in ambush for hours before the target arrived.
media ambush
1Sudden, intense press confrontation
A situation where many reporters suddenly come to a person and try to ask questions or film them.
- She faced a media ambush as soon as she left the courthouse.
- Celebrities often complain about media ambush outside airports and hotels.
set an ambush
1Plan and arrange an ambush
To plan and prepare a place where you will make a surprise attack.
- The rebels set an ambush on the main supply road.
- Troops set an ambush for the smugglers near the river.
set up an ambush
1Organize people for a surprise attack
To organize people and choose a place so they can make a surprise attack.
- They set up an ambush just outside the village.
- Armed gangs set up an ambush for the police patrol.
walk into an ambush
1Go unknowingly into an ambush
To go into a place without knowing that people are waiting there to attack you or to cause you trouble.
- The unit walked into an ambush and came under heavy fire.
- By agreeing to the live interview, she felt she had walked into an ambush of hostile questions.