setting upon
Launching an assault
Setting upon means attacking or assailing, usually with sudden aggression: The dogs set upon the intruder, Critics set upon the proposal immediately.
The phrase suggests multiple attackers or a sustained assault rather than a single blow.
It can be physical violence or figurative attack through words and criticism.
- ambuscadeConcealed attack position
- bushwhackSurprise attack from cover
- raidSudden armed incursion
- blindsidingSurprising with sudden impact
- ganging upJoining forces against someone
assault · berating · waylaying · battery · haranguing · siege · striking · tearing into · grappling · chastising · pouncing · coming at · skirmish · rebuking · trap · retaliation · kicking · laying into