in attack

IPA/ɪn ɐtˈak/
IPA/ɪn ɐtˈæk/

in attack — idiom

1. taking the role of a forward or striker in a team sport such as football or hock

1.慣用語B2
釋義

taking the role of a forward or striker in a team sport such as football or hockey, where the main job is to score goals or points for your team — used especially in British sports commentary to describe a player's area of play

例句

Coach Okafor put her fastest winger in attack for the second half against Nigeria.

put + player + in attack — assignment to offensive role

The team's defence was solid all match, but in attack they rarely threatened the goal.

同義詞
  • on offense

    American English equivalent; same meaning but used in US sports contexts instead of the British 'in attack'

  • up front

    informal British expression meaning 'in a forward/attacking position'

反義詞
  • in defence

    British English; playing in the defensive part of the team that protects the goal or prevents the opponent from scoring

  • on defence

    American English equivalent of 'in defence'

文法句型

play in attack

be in attack

move in attack

push forward in attack

用法筆記

Common in British English sports commentary and match reports. The American equivalent is 'on offense'. Do not confuse with 'on the attack', which is a general idiom meaning to criticise someone aggressively, not a sports position.

常見錯誤

❌He plays on attack for Manchester United.
✅He plays in attack for Manchester United.
💡'in attack' is the fixed British idiom for the offensive area of play, not 'on attack'.
❌The team switched to the attack in the last ten minutes.
✅The team switched to in-attack formation in the last ten minutes.
💡'switch to the attack' is acceptable but rare; the fixed phrase is 'play/be in attack' without an article.