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straight thrust

straight thrust

8.7
An attack in fencing where you lunge forward, keeping your back leg straight and your sword arm outstretched
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : estocada
  • She practiced her straight thrust repeatedly to improve her accuracy and speed.

Examples

  • The fencer executed a perfect straight thrust.

  • The fencer scored a point with a well-timed straight thrust to his opponent's chest.

  • A classic straight thrust is one of the most fundamental attacks taught to beginners.

  • Did you see her straight thrust during the match?

  • During the match, she executed a perfect straight thrust that caught her opponent off guard.

  • The coach emphasized the importance of a strong straight thrust to penetrate the opponent's defense.

  • To score a point, he aimed for a swift straight thrust towards his opponent's torso.

Synonyms

thrust
vsstraight thrust
26 4.2

A strong sudden push often made with a hand or weapon

is a specific fencing attack rather than any general pushing action
lunge
vsstraight thrust
  • Specialized
3 6.9

A sudden attack in fencing when you step forward and stretch your arm

is similar but focuses on the move without stressing sudden speed
passado
vsstraight thrust
  • Specialized
1 9.9

An attack in fencing when you step forward with one foot and extend your sword arm

is the same move but named differently in fencing
allonge
vsstraight thrust
  • Specialized
9.9

A quick forward movement of the arm and body to reach an opponent

is about stepping with leg alignment rather than only arm reach

Surface Forms

Morphology

straight + thrust

The phrase is a literal adjective + noun combination: 'straight' (not bent/in a line) modifies 'thrust' (a quick push or stab), so the overall meaning is a linear or direct stab. In a fencing context this maps straightforwardly to an attack delivered in a straight line, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Straight thrust: The fencing move straight thrust shows a simple image: you step forward and push the sword straight out in a strong forward thrust, keeping the back leg straight. That's why it means 'an attack' made by moving forward with the arm outstretched.