volley
many things at once or quickly
Several things, like shots or questions, that come very fast at the same time or one after another.
a volley of [shots/questions/insults]
- The police fired a volley of rubber bullets to push back the crowd.
- The minister was met with a volley of questions as soon as she left the meeting room.
- Fans shouted a volley of abuse at the referee after the final whistle.
- Her tweet triggered a fresh volley of criticism from opposition leaders.
- A sudden volley of gunfire broke the silence of the night.
- The player heard a volley of loud boos from the crowd.
- The reporter asked a volley of questions after the speech.
- He sent a volley of angry emails to his boss.
- The soldiers suddenly heard a volley of shots nearby.
sports: hit ball before bounce
In sports, a hit or kick when a player hits the ball before it touches the ground.
[someone] hits/scores with a volley
- She finished the point with a sharp backhand volley at the net.
- The striker scored with a powerful volley from the edge of the box.
- He practised his volley for an hour, trying to hit the ball earlier and higher.
- The coach told them to move closer to the net to play more volleys.
- She won the point with a volley near the net.
- The player hit a strong volley into the corner.
- He scored the goal with a volley from ten meters.
- I like to watch slow-motion replays of a volley in tennis.
to hit ball before it bounces
To hit or kick a ball before it falls and touches the ground.
[someone] volleys [the ball]
- She stepped forward and volleyed the ball straight into the open court.
- The striker controlled the pass on his chest and volleyed it into the top corner.
- He moved quickly to the net and volleyed the return back at his opponent.
- Instead of volleying, she waited and let the ball bounce before hitting it.
- He volleyed the ball into the goal.
- The player volleyed it back over the net.
- She likes to volley when she plays tennis.
- He tried to volley the ball but missed it.
to send many things quickly
To send many things, like bullets or words, very fast, often many times or between two sides.
[someone] volleys [shots/insults/emails] (at [someone])
- The two politicians volleyed accusations at each other throughout the debate.
- Gunmen volleyed shots into the air to scare the crowd.
- They volleyed emails back and forth all afternoon, trying to agree on the contract.
- Fans volleyed insults at the referee as he walked off the pitch.
- The two teams volleyed insults before the match.
- They volleyed emails back and forth all day.
- The soldiers volleyed shots into the dark street.
- The students volleyed questions at the new teacher.
- Base: volley
- Plural: volleys
- Base: volley
- 3rd Person Singular: volleys
- Present Participle: volleying
- Past: volleyed
a volley of abuse
1many insults shouted together
Many rude or angry words shouted at someone quickly, one after another.
- He walked off the field to a volley of abuse from the home fans.
- The referee received a volley of abuse after the controversial decision.
a volley of criticism
1many critical remarks together
Many negative or critical comments given quickly about someone or something.
- The plan drew a volley of criticism from environmental groups.
- His remarks sparked a volley of criticism on social media.
a volley of gunfire
1short burst of gunfire
A short, loud period when many bullets are fired at almost the same time.
- They were woken in the night by a volley of gunfire outside.
- A volley of gunfire forced the crowd to dive for cover.
a volley of questions
1many quick questions together
Many questions asked very quickly, one after another, often making it hard to answer them all.
- After the announcement, the CEO faced a volley of questions from reporters.
- The children greeted the visitor with a volley of questions about her job.
a volley of shots
1many shots fired together
Several gunshots that are fired very close together in time.
- A sudden volley of shots rang out from the alleyway.
- Witnesses reported hearing a volley of shots before people started to run.
on the volley
1hit ball before it bounces
In sports, by hitting or kicking the ball before it touches the ground.
- She met the cross first time and finished on the volley.
- He practised striking the ball on the volley from different angles.
volley back
1to return quickly, often in kind
To send something back quickly after getting it, for example hitting a ball back or replying quickly with words.
- She volleyed back his serve with a strong forehand.
- When he insulted her, she volleyed back a sharp remark of her own.