pounce
pounce /paʊns/
verb [intransitive]
The cat was hiding in the bushes, ready to pounce.
pounce on
Kevin pounced on Liam and started hitting him.
—pounce noun [countable]
pounce on somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to criticize someone’s mistakes or ideas very quickly and eagerly:
Teachers are quick to pounce on students’ grammatical errors.
2. to eagerly take an opportunity as soon as it becomes available:
When they offered O'Leary the chance to become manager, he pounced on it.
pounce /paʊns/
verb [intransitive] Date: 1600-1700
Origin: pounce 'claw' (15-19 centuries), probably from puncheon 'pointed weapon' (14-20 centuries), from Old French poinchon
to suddenly move forward and attack someone or something, after waiting to attack them:Origin: pounce 'claw' (15-19 centuries), probably from puncheon 'pointed weapon' (14-20 centuries), from Old French poinchon
pounce on
—pounce noun [countable]
pounce on somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to criticize someone’s mistakes or ideas very quickly and eagerly:
2. to eagerly take an opportunity as soon as it becomes available: