Coup de main
A coup de main (French pronunciation: [ku də mɛ̃], plural: coups de main, 'blow with the hand') is a swift attack that relies on speed and surprise to accomplish its objectives in a single blow. == Definition == The United States Department of Defense defines it as "An offensive operation that capitalizes on surprise and simultaneous execution of supporting operations to achieve success in one swift stroke." The term coup de main originally meant "by direct assault rather than by artillery".