walk point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "walk point" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a military context to refer to the person who is leading a patrol or unit, responsible for navigating and ensuring safety ahead of the group. Example: "During the mission, I was assigned to walk point, keeping an eye out for any potential threats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Sometimes you have to be the leader and walk point on a mission.

Huffington Post

Less than seven weeks later he was the only surviving member of his fourteen-man platoon and he got new orders to walk point for another outfit.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Go for a long romantic walk, pointing out trees, ducks and strange men in anoraks and tell each other the name in your own languages.

The Guardian

Hal, walking point, would have turned around and smiled, like, Do you believe we're getting paid for this?

The New Yorker

It also gives pseudocode for the divide-and-conquer and incremental insertion (with a not-so-good version of walking point location) algorithms for constructing Delaunay triangulations.

University of California, Berkeley

He moves from being a rifleman among riflemen to the guy up front, the one who walks point, the one who sniffs out the enemy.

The New York Times

His hot-pink shirt read, "Walked Point in Vietnam to Defend Democracy in 1970, Walked the Mall in Washington to Defend Democracy in 2017".

The New Yorker

She is like that: she is that leader; she is one of these women who has really walked point and taken a lot of hits for it.

The Guardian

"I fought with L.U.R.D. in the bush," he said, learning to fire an AK-47, walking point, winning a battlefield commission and a nom de guerre.

The New York Times

Once, during the Persian Gulf war, he walked point for an entire battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division as it moved to attack the Iraqis.

The New York Times

By the end of the next page we've had unexplained mentions of "pickers", "Hefty Mart", "Luke 4 5" and Flynne "walking point, for that lawyer in Tulsa".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "walk point", ensure the context is appropriate, typically related to military operations or situations involving risk and leadership. It adds a sense of responsibility and potential danger to the role.

Common error

Avoid using "walk point" casually in non-military contexts where the inherent risk and leadership implications are absent. Using it to simply mean 'to lead' can sound awkward or out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "walk point" functions as a compound verb, typically used to describe the action of leading a military patrol or mission. It implies a position of high responsibility and potential danger. Ludwig indicates that it's a valid and usable English phrase, primarily within a military context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "walk point" is a grammatically sound expression primarily used in military contexts to describe leading a patrol and taking on significant risk. Ludwig confirms its validity, noting its common usage in news and media when reporting on military topics. While its direct usage is relatively rare, understanding its connotation is essential for interpreting military narratives or using it effectively in figurative contexts. When considering alternative phrases, options like "lead the way" or "take the lead" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take the point

This is a shorter, more direct version of the original phrase, retaining the military context.

lead the way

This alternative focuses on the act of guiding or directing others.

take the lead

This implies assuming a leadership role or being the first to act.

be in the vanguard

This suggests being at the forefront of an action or movement.

spearhead the mission

This emphasizes initiating and driving a particular task or objective.

be at the head of the column

This highlights the position at the front of a group or formation.

scout ahead

This involves exploring and gathering information in advance.

pioneer the path

This implies creating a new route or approach where none existed before.

go on reconnaissance

Implies performing a mission to gain information about an enemy or area.

be the point person

This suggests being the main contact or representative for a particular matter.

FAQs

How is "walk point" used in military context?

In a military setting, "walk point" refers to the soldier leading a patrol, responsible for detecting potential dangers and navigating the route. This role is critical for the safety of the entire unit.

What does it mean to figuratively "walk point" in business?

Figuratively, "walk point" can describe someone who is "taking the lead" on a risky or challenging project, scouting out potential problems and paving the way for others.

What are some alternative phrases to "walk point"?

Alternatives include "lead the way", "take the lead", or "spearhead the mission", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "walk point" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "walk point" has a strong military connotation. In formal writing, especially in business or academic contexts, consider using alternatives like "lead the way" or "take the initiative" for broader applicability.