# cavalry

/ˈkævəɫɹi/ (US) · /kˈævəlɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cavalry
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 3. a source of rescue

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

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

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

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

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

## 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.