cold cocking
Unexpected knockout punch
Cold cocking is punching someone suddenly and without warning, typically aiming for the head with intent to knock them out.
The attack comes when the victim isn't expecting it—no squaring up, no chance to defend: He got cold cocked walking out of the bar.
Also spelled as one word or hyphenated.
The noun is cold cock or sucker punch.
Unanticipated strike without warning
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- attackAggressive act against another
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
hit · slug · wallop · deck · flatten · floor · knock out · lay out
Not anticipated beforehand
- unprovokedWithout prior instigation
- without warningUnexpectedly, lacking prior notice
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
sneak attack · caught off guard · unaware · unsuspecting · sudden · out of nowhere · from behind · cheap shot
Not awake or aware
- lights outMandatory sleep time
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
- dazedShocked into mental fog
- flooredOverwhelmed by surprise
flattened · dropped · felled · incapacitated · seeing stars · concussion · blackout · collapse
sucker punch
Unanticipated strike without warning
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- attackAggressive act against another
strike · hit · slug · wallop · deck · flatten · floor · knock out · lay out · drop
unexpected
Not anticipated beforehand
- unprovokedWithout prior instigation
- without warningUnexpectedly, lacking prior notice
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
ambush · sneak attack · caught off guard · unaware · unsuspecting · sudden · out of nowhere · from behind · cheap shot · startled
unconscious
Not awake or aware
- lights outMandatory sleep time
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
- dazedShocked into mental fog
floored · flattened · dropped · felled · incapacitated · seeing stars · concussion · blackout · collapse · KO
cold cockingduel
Prearranged one-on-one combat
squaring off · mano a mano · mutual combat · boxing match · sparring
cold, colder, coldest, coldly, coldness, colds, cock, cocks, cocked