shock troops

American  

plural noun

Military.

1. troops especially selected, trained, and equipped for engaging in assault.

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shock troops British  

plural noun

1. soldiers specially trained and equipped to carry out an assault

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Etymology

Origin of shock troops

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Mercenaries of the Wagner Group have served as shock troops in Ukraine and are expanding their presence in West Africa.

From Reuters • Aug. 14, 2023

Stormtroopers wear Totenkopf skulls for helmets and borrow their name from Hitler’s shock troops.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2022

Three other individuals who would not give their full names also did not understand the reference, and said they did not identify as "shock troops."

From Salon • Oct. 14, 2021

It’s crawling down the valley’s western flank this week, tossing embers before it like shock troops.

From Washington Post • Jul. 22, 2021

Rhino-mounted Bantu shock troops could have overthrown the Roman Empire.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond