enemy down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enemy down" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in military or gaming contexts to indicate that an opponent has been defeated or incapacitated. Example: "After a fierce battle, we finally heard the call of 'enemy down' over the radio, signaling our victory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Aim your roll right and you can strike an enemy down, though thorns are single use and most enemies require more than one hit.

The Guardian - Tech

But the movie was so relentlessly disturbing (at one point, Page's character ties her enemy down and slowly begins to castrate him) that when "Hard Candy" was released the following year, no one went to see it.

The New York Times

When Cassio's ghost-love Anna sacrifices herself to save Cas and to take his enemy down, Cas is distraught and with the help of his friends goes on a journey to save Anna but nothing is as easy as it seems as not many people have access to a place no one goes unless deceased by the athame.

The Guardian

We wanted to strike the enemy down in as many ways as we knew how.

Huffington Post

Mow the enemy down, with the dual-wielders for support, while the snipers pick off any stragglers.

WikiHow

Once the latter had been thrown into disorder, it might be possible to put the chariots into formation, charge, and ride the enemy down.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Zackasaurus – a skateboarding, Ray-ban-wearing dinosaur – chomps enemies down in a single bite.

The Guardian - Tech

"Oh sure, Maliki is using us," Korb told the Huffington Post, adding that, as long as provisional elections are delayed, "we're keeping his enemies down".

Huffington Post

If the player knocks all of the enemies down, they may be granted the opportunity to perform an "All-Out Attack", in which all the players rush the downed enemies to inflict heavy damage.

Wikipedia

This way you can snipe the enemies down, their weapons can rarely harm you and you don't risk losing your backup.

WikiHow

But hardliners, recognising their most effective enemy, cracked down on the press ferociously.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enemy down" in contexts where a concise and direct indication of an opponent's defeat is required, such as in military communications or gaming scenarios. Ensure that the context makes it clear that 'down' refers to being defeated or incapacitated, not merely located below.

Common error

Avoid using "enemy down" in situations where the term 'down' could be misinterpreted literally (e.g., referring to the enemy's physical location). Always ensure the context clearly indicates defeat or incapacitation to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enemy down" functions as a declarative statement indicating the defeat or incapacitation of an adversary. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is often used in military or gaming contexts to signal victory or the elimination of a threat.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

32%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "enemy down" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to indicate that an opponent has been defeated or incapacitated. Ludwig AI confirms its typical usage in military and gaming environments. While versatile, it's important to consider the context to avoid misinterpretation and to ensure appropriate formality. Alternatives like "target neutralized" or "opponent defeated" may be suitable in more formal settings. Remember to use the phrase strategically to clearly and effectively communicate the status of an adversary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

target neutralized

This alternative is often used in military or tactical contexts to indicate that a target is no longer a threat.

downed enemy

This phrase emphasizes the state of the enemy being on the ground or defeated.

threat eliminated

Focuses on the removal of a threat, rather than specifically defeating an enemy.

opponent defeated

This alternative provides a more formal way to state that an enemy has been defeated.

enemy incapacitated

This emphasizes the enemy's inability to continue fighting, rather than outright defeat.

foe eliminated

This alternative is a more dramatic and forceful way to say that an enemy has been taken out.

adversary subdued

This alternative emphasizes the act of bringing an enemy under control.

hostile force taken out

Provides a more detailed and descriptive way to state that an enemy force has been defeated or removed.

bad guy vanquished

Uses informal language to convey the idea of defeating an enemy.

fallen foe

A more poetic or literary way to refer to a defeated enemy.

FAQs

What does "enemy down" typically mean?

The phrase "enemy down" typically means that an opponent or adversary has been defeated, neutralized, or incapacitated, especially in military, gaming, or tactical contexts.

Are there formal alternatives to "enemy down"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "opponent defeated", "target neutralized", or "adversary subdued", depending on the specific context.

In what scenarios is it appropriate to use "enemy down"?

It's appropriate in scenarios where a quick, clear communication about an enemy's defeat is necessary, such as in real-time strategy games, first-person shooter games, or military communications. However, consider the audience and context; more formal settings may require alternatives.

How does "enemy down" differ from "threat eliminated"?

"Enemy down" specifically indicates the defeat of an enemy, whereas "threat eliminated" focuses on the removal of a potential danger. The latter is broader and could apply to situations where the threat wasn't necessarily an 'enemy' but something that posed a risk.