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.idiomB2
Definition

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

Example

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.

Common collocations
  • play in attack
  • be in attack
  • push forward in attack
  • strengthen the attack
  • move in attack
Synonyms
  • 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'

Antonyms
  • 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'

Grammar Patterns

play in attack

be in attack

move in attack

push forward in attack

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

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.

Etymology

FrenchItalianEnglish

'In attack' is a prepositional phrase formed from the noun 'attack' (from French 'attaque', from Old Italian 'attaccare' meaning to join battle) and the preposition 'in'. It emerged in British football (soccer) commentary in the early 20th century as a shorthand way to describe a player's position on the pitch, contrasting with 'in defence'. Unlike the general verb phrase 'to be on the attack' (meaning to criticise), the sports idiom 'in attack' is a fixed positional label that does not take an article.