pounce
[verb]
Synonyms:
- spring, attack, fall upon, jump, leap at, strike, swoop
[noun]
Synonyms:
- spring, assault, attack, bound, jump, leap, swoop

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

pounce /paʊns/ verb [intransitive]
[Date: 1600-1700; Origin: pounce 'claw' (15-19 centuries), probably from puncheon 'pointed weapon' (14-20 centuries), from Old French poinchon]
to suddenly move forward and attack someone or something, after waiting to attack them:
The cat was hiding in the bushes, ready to pounce.
pounce on
Kevin pounced on Liam and started hitting him.
—pounce noun [countable]
pounce on somebody/something phrasal verb

1. to criticize someone’s mistakes or ideas very quickly and eagerly:
Teachers are quick to pounce on students’ grammatical errors.

2. to eagerly take an opportunity as soon as it becomes available:
When they offered O'Leary the chance to become manager, he pounced on it.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲