sally
sally — noun
1. A swift attack made by soldiers who are trapped inside a fort or city, fighting
A swift attack made by soldiers who are trapped inside a fort or city, fighting back against the forces that surround them.
Under cover of darkness, the garrison launched a daring sally against the enemy camp.
collocation: launch a sally
The commander ordered a sally at dawn, catching the besieging troops completely off guard.
Kevin's grandfather told stories of a famous sally that broke the siege and saved the battalion.
Luca studied historical accounts of a sally from the fortress during the war.
- sortie
The most direct military synonym; 'sortie' emphasizes a brief raid from a defensive position, while 'sally' focuses on the suddenness of breaking out.
- foray
Suggests a quick raid into enemy territory, but can also be used in non-military contexts.
- assault
A broader term for a violent attack; does not carry the specific meaning of escaping encirclement.
用法筆記
Often appears in historical or military writing. The noun commonly pairs with launch, make, or order.
常見錯誤
2. A clever and amusing comment made in conversation, often said quickly to enterta
A clever and amusing comment made in conversation, often said quickly to entertain the people around you.
Padma's sally about the burnt toast made everyone laugh at the breakfast table.
The minister deflected the question with a clever sally that amused the journalists.
collocation: clever sally
At the dinner party, Ryo responded with a quick sally that drew smiles from the whole group.
Amira remembered her grandmother's sharp sally whenever someone complained too loudly.
用法筆記
More literary than joke or quip. Often describes a remark that is both witty and timely — a sudden verbal 'rush' that mirrors the military sense figuratively.
常見錯誤
3. A short trip or outing, especially one that takes you away from the usual path o
A short trip or outing, especially one that takes you away from the usual path or familiar places.
On Sunday the group took a sally through the old forest trails near the village.
collocation: sally through [place]
Yumi's sally to the night market introduced her to dishes she had never tasted.
The weekend sally ended with a picnic by the lake and stories around the fire.
Chidi planned a short sally to the coastal cliffs to sketch the waves and seabirds.
用法筆記
Literary or journalistic in tone. Typically describes a brief, spontaneous outing rather than a planned vacation.
常見錯誤
sally — verb
1. To rush out or move forward quickly and boldly, especially from a safe or enclos
To rush out or move forward quickly and boldly, especially from a safe or enclosed place.
The firefighters sallied forth from the station as the alarm rang through the building.
phrasal pattern: sally forth
Beatrix sallied out into the storm to rescue the kitten trapped under the porch.
phrasal pattern: sally out
Ignacio sallied forth from his room as soon as he heard the news about the job offer.
The rescue team sallied forth at dawn to search for the hikers lost in the woods.
- rush out
Everyday synonym; less dramatic and literary than 'sally forth'.
- burst forth
Implies greater force and suddenness, similar to the military origin.
- emerge
Neutral in tone; lacks the bold, sudden quality of 'sally forth'.
- retreat
To move back or withdraw, the opposite of rushing forward.
文法句型
sally forth
sally out
用法筆記
Almost always used with forth or out to indicate direction. Rare in everyday conversation; appears more often in literary or descriptive writing.