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quick thrust

quick thrust

5.2
A fast forward jab with a hand or a weapon
  • noun
translation icon : estocada rápida
  • During the demonstration, the instructor showed how to make a quick thrust with the spear for maximum impact.

Examples

  • Fencing: a quick thrust after parrying a lunge.

    Blog text (14)
  • Consequently, Buzz would first need to raise the switchblade before he could strike, an action that would take considerably more time than Jim's quick thrusts.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The fencer prepared for a match, confidently executing a quick thrust to score a point against his opponent.

  • With a quick thrust of his hand, she launched the paper airplane into the air, watching it glide gracefully.

Synonyms

stab
vsquick thrust
  • NSFW
79 3.5

A sudden sharp wound made by a knife or other pointed object

is more general, covering quick forward jabs not only weapon hits
jab
vsquick thrust
  • Specialized
61 2.8

A quick straight punch used in boxing

is broader, covering similar quick forward moves with hand or weapon
thrust
vsquick thrust
26 4.2

A strong sudden push often made with a hand or weapon

is narrower, focusing on very fast forward jabs often with weapons
quick jab
vsquick thrust
  • Specialized
1 3.6

A fast, sharp punch in boxing that hits an opponent quickly

is a rapid forward movement often done with a weapon or hand
onrush
vsquick thrust
1 6.3

A sudden strong forward movement like an attack by soldiers

is much smaller in scale, often a single quick forward jab
knife thrust
vsquick thrust
  • NSFW
1 7.5

A strong stab with a knife into someone's body

is less specific, applying to fast forward moves with hand or weapon
straight thrust
vsquick thrust
  • Specialized
8.7

An attack in fencing where you lunge forward, keeping your back leg straight and your sword arm outstretched

is more general, not limited to a formal fencing technique

How Fast

lunge
4 4.9
quick thrust
5.2
thrust
26 4.2
push
138 1.0
to nudge
33 3.8

Surface Forms

quick thrust singular
quick thrusts plural

Morphology

quick + thrust

The meaning 'a rapid forward movement or jab' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'quick' (done in a short time) with 'thrust' (a forceful push or stab). This simple adjective+noun composition follows standard English patterns and is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The noun quick thrust comes from fighting and everyday actions where someone makes a fast push forward. Imagine a fencer or someone with a knife giving a sudden thrust that is very quick, so the phrase means 'a rapid forward movement or jab'.