avalanche of attacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avalanche of attacks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and overwhelming number of attacks, whether in a physical, verbal, or cyber context. Example: "The company faced an avalanche of attacks from hackers, compromising sensitive data and causing widespread panic among its users."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Instead of hitting their opponents with an avalanche of attacks, the hosts meekly surrendered, despite Moyes' efforts to galvanise his team.

Independent

He also bluntly concludes that the avalanche of attacks on the President's American credentials owe to "his funny name and different color... Republicans didn't like Bill Clinton but no one said he was un-American".

Huffington Post

My original text for accompanying these images was filled with the usual litany of concerns about the gun culture in America; condemnation about the belligerent NRA that continues to mythologize and cloak any attempts at sane gun control as the first measures that will trigger an avalanche of attacks on "freedom".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Out in the districts where Democratic members of Congress are enduring an unrelenting avalanche of attack ads from well-financed conservative groups, some of the party's strategists are now warning of a permanent change in the landscape.

The New York Times

Whether he can survive an avalanche of attack ads in the weeks ahead, or fundraise in states where he was polling within the margin of error, remain the questions looming over his campaign.

The Guardian

During last week's avalanche of attack ads, the McCain campaign chose to resurrect a leftover smear first concocted by wingnut Alan Keyes during his 2006 Senate contest against Obama.

Huffington Post

Howard Dean declared on Monday that "the capture of Saddam Hussein has not made America safer," provoking an avalanche of new attacks from rivals who have seized on Sunday's surprise news as a way of redrawing the foreign policy debate in the Democratic presidential campaign.

The New York Times

Stalnaker's work was part of an avalanche of pragmatic attacks on the semantic conception of presupposition.

SEP

Last week, Washington Post home page editor Doris Truong recounted her own rattling experience with a case of mistaken identity, which involved viral tweets and blog posts plus an avalanche of vicious attacks on the internet.

Huffington Post

As the White House greeted Mr. Kerry's claim on the Democratic nomination with an avalanche of advertisements and attacks, the challenger seemed at least a little spent as he faced the challenges of raising money, building a staff, responding to all of what his aides called the "incoming," and retooling his campaign to appeal to a general election audience.

The New York Times

Both sides are obviously preparing a fresh avalanche of accusations and attacks.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "avalanche of attacks" to emphasize the sudden and overwhelming nature of multiple attacks occurring in rapid succession.

Common error

Avoid using "avalanche of attacks" when a simpler phrase like "several attacks" or "multiple criticisms" would suffice. Reserve it for situations where the sheer number and intensity of the attacks are significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avalanche of attacks" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a large quantity of attacks, emphasizing their overwhelming and sudden nature, according to Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avalanche of attacks" is a noun phrase used to describe a sudden and overwhelming number of attacks. While grammatically correct, Ludwig examples suggest its usage is relatively rare. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, emphasizing the scale and intensity of events. Related phrases include "barrage of attacks" and "onslaught of attacks". When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the dramatic nature of the situation and avoid overuse in less intense contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barrage of attacks

Focuses on a continuous and concentrated outpouring, similar to an avalanche but potentially less sudden.

onslaught of attacks

Emphasizes the fierce and intense nature of the attacks, highlighting their aggressive impact.

deluge of attacks

Uses a water metaphor to convey the sense of being overwhelmed by a large number of attacks.

torrent of attacks

Similar to deluge, suggesting a rapid and forceful outpouring of attacks.

flood of attacks

Another water metaphor, indicating a large quantity and overwhelming effect of the attacks.

storm of attacks

Suggests a turbulent and chaotic series of attacks, emphasizing the disruptive nature.

hail of attacks

Implies a rapid and intense barrage, drawing a parallel to a hailstorm.

cluster of attacks

Indicates a grouping of multiple attacks. Emphasizes the attacks are closely related.

series of attacks

Focuses on the sequential nature of the attacks. Lacks the sense of being overwhelmed.

wave of attacks

Highlights the cyclical nature of the attacks. Suggests that the attacks came in a large series.

FAQs

How can I use "avalanche of attacks" in a sentence?

You can use "avalanche of attacks" to describe a situation where someone or something is facing numerous and intense attacks, like "The politician faced an "avalanche of attacks" after the controversial statement."

What are some alternatives to "avalanche of attacks"?

Alternatives include "barrage of attacks", "onslaught of attacks", or "flood of attacks", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "avalanche of attacks" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "avalanche of attacks" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news reports and analytical articles, but ensure the context warrants such a strong expression. If the tone is very formal you may prefer "series of attacks".

What does "avalanche of attacks" imply?

It implies that the attacks are not only numerous but also sudden and overwhelming, similar to how an avalanche rapidly engulfs everything in its path. It conveys the idea that the target is facing an intense and potentially destructive wave of opposition.