coup de main

[koo d^uh man]

noun

French.

plural

coups de main 

1. a surprise attack; a sudden development.

coup de main

/ ku də mɛ̃ /

noun

1. military an attack that achieves complete surprise

Word History and Origins

Origin of coup de main¹

Literally, “blow from the hand”

Word History and Origins

Origin of coup de main¹

literally: blow with the hand