pounce

IPA/paʊns/
KK[pˈaʊns]IPA/paʊns/

pounce — verb

  • pouncepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • pounceshe / she / it
  • pouncedpast simple
  • pouncing-ing form

1. to suddenly jump forward and grab something, the way a cat or a bird of prey cat

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to suddenly jump forward and grab something, the way a cat or a bird of prey catches an animal by leaping onto it from above or from a hiding place.

例句

The cat pounced on the mouse before it could escape.

pounce on + prey

Sirin watched her kitten pounce on a fallen leaf in the garden.

同義詞
  • spring

    more general — can describe any quick jump in any direction, not necessarily to attack

  • swoop

    suggests a downward motion from above, most typical of birds of prey

  • lunge

    a forward thrust that may involve a weapon or the body, often less graceful than a pounce

  • leap

    emphasises jumping distance or height rather than the predatory intent of a pounce

反義詞
  • retreat

    the opposite movement — moving away instead of springing toward a target

  • recoil

    pulling back in fear or disgust, the opposite of an aggressive forward spring

文法句型

pounce + on/upon + noun phrase

用法筆記

This verb always needs a preposition (most commonly 'on' or 'onto') before the target. 'Upon' is a more formal alternative. The noun phrase after the preposition names the thing being attacked or caught.

常見錯誤

❌The cat pounced at the mouse.
✅The cat pounced on the mouse.
💡'pounce' requires the preposition 'on' (or 'onto/upon'), not 'at'.
❌The lion pounced the deer.
✅The lion pounced on the deer.
💡'pounce' is intransitive; it cannot take a direct object.

pounce — noun