coup de main

[ kooduh man ]

/ kudə ˈmɛ̃ /

a surprise attack; a sudden development.

Origin of coup de main

literally, blow from the hand

Unable to carry his object by a coup-de-main, he was in the end vanquished by the superior resources of his oppressor.

Memoirs of the Dukes of Urbino, Volume II (of 3) |James Dennistoun
After landing his men Pulteney found that the place was too strong to be taken by a coup-de-main, and abandoned the enterprise.

The Political History of England - Vol. X. |William Hunt
He had examined it well, and discovered the quarter which he judged favorable to a coup-de-main, should that become necessary.

Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. V, No. XXV, June, 1852 |Various
That object was to surprise the Russian army, either collected or dispersed; in short, to make a coup-de-main with 400,000 men.

History of the Expedition to Russia |Count Philip de Segur

This was a coup-de-main on the part of the captors, and sustained with the most perfect sang froid by the captured.

Real Life In London, Volumes I. and II. |Pierce Egan

coup de main

/ French (ku də mɛ̃) /

mainly military an attack that achieves complete surprise

literally: blow with the hand