ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cavalry

n.
US //ˈkævəɫɹi// UK //kˈævəlɹi// cav·al·ry
  1. 1 a source of rescue (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a person or group that arrives just in time to save someone from a difficult situation.

    a figurative source of rescue or assistance that arrives at a critical moment to resolve a crisis.

    Example

    We were struggling with the project until the IT team arrived like the cavalry to fix the servers.

    Example

    Just as the company was facing bankruptcy, a group of private investors appeared like the cavalry with a massive injection of capital.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the phrase 'send in the cavalry' or 'the cavalry is coming'.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a very common idiomatic use in business and daily life to describe a sudden, helpful arrival.
Origin

From Middle French cavalerie, in turn from Italian cavalleria. Recorded in English from the 1540s. Doublet of chivalry.

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