blitz

American  

[blits] / blɪts /

noun

1. Military.

   1. an overwhelming all-out attack, especially a swift ground attack using armored units and air support.

   2. an intensive aerial bombing.

2. any swift, vigorous attack, barrage, or defeat.

   a blitz of commercials every few minutes.

3. Football. act or instance of charging directly for (the passer) as soon as the ball is snapped; red-dogging.

4. bingo.

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verb (used with object)

1. to attack or defeat with or as if with a blitz.

   The town was blitzed mercilessly by enemy planes. The visitors really blitzed the home team.

2. to destroy; demolish.

   His last-minute refusal blitzed all our plans.

verb (used without object)

1. Football. to charge directly and immediately at the passer; red-dog.

2. to move in the manner of a blitz.

   a car that will blitz through rough terrain.

blitz ¹ British  

/ blɪts /

noun

1. a violent and sustained attack, esp with intensive aerial bombardment

2. any sudden intensive attack or concerted effort

   an advertising blitz

   a drink-driving blitz

3. American football a defensive charge on the quarterback

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verb

1. (tr) to attack suddenly and intensively

Blitz ² British  

/ blɪts /

noun

1. the systematic night-time bombing of Britain in 1940–41 by the German Luftwaffe

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Other Word Forms

• blitzer noun

Etymology

Origin of blitz

First recorded in 1935–40; shortening of blitzkrieg

Example Sentences

The hedge fund spent tens of millions of dollars on a legal, lobbying and PR blitz around the world to make the country pay.

From The Wall Street Journal

They lead the league in sacks and consistently generate pressure without blitzing, which will be especially important against a Chargers offense starting Lance.

From Los Angeles Times

For months, government officials have quietly questioned who is financing the wall-to-wall marketing blitz.

From Los Angeles Times

The Tide crowded the line, indicating a blitz, only to send defenders dropping back at the snap into every potential passing lane.

From The Wall Street Journal

As the year went on, Mark Zuckerberg began a recruiting blitz that roiled the industry, offering elite researchers unfathomably large sums of money to join his AI dream team inside Meta.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• assault
• bombardment
• bombing
• offensive
• onslaught
• raid
• shelling