Word
cavalry
Phoneticscav·al·ry
US/ˈkævəɫɹi/
UK/kˈævəlɹi/
Definition
n. a person or group that arrives just in time to save someone from a difficult situation.
n. a figurative source of rescue or assistance that arrives at a critical moment to resolve a crisis.
Examples
“The cavalry charged across the field on their horses.”
“The general waited for the cavalry to arrive before launching the final attack on the enemy's flank.”
“Historically, the cavalry provided a decisive advantage in speed and shock power, though modern warfare has largely replaced horses with light armored vehicles and aerial support units.”
Examples
simple
“The cavalry charged across the field on their horses.”
contextual
“The general waited for the cavalry to arrive before launching the final attack on the enemy's flank.”
complex
“Historically, the cavalry provided a decisive advantage in speed and shock power, though modern warfare has largely replaced horses with light armored vehicles and aerial support units.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'send in the cavalry' or 'the cavalry is coming'.
Teaching tip
This is a very common idiomatic use in business and daily life to describe a sudden, helpful arrival.
Real-World Examples
“The world they had known, of cavalry charges and hand-to-hand fighting, disappeared almost overnight into something mechanized and merciless.” “Driscoll previously served in the Army and was an officer in 2007 before leading a cavalry platoon and deploying to Iraq for several months in 2009.” Etymology
From Middle French cavalerie, in turn from Italian cavalleria. Recorded in English from the 1540s. Doublet of chivalry.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.