Sekirov Dictionary

Pearl Harbor

UK /ˌpɜːl ˈhɑːbə/US /ˌpɝ˞l ˈhɑɹbɚ/

noun 2
verb 2
forms 3

noun2

•
A sneak attack, often using underhanded measures.
- Most Americans wanted no more Pearl Harbors, but they now expected Germany to attempt one. — 2002
•
A seminal dramatic event that unites a community and arouses it into action against an enemy.
- For all practical purposes, the United States is undergoing an electronic Pearl Harbor, and the target is one of the most crucial segments of our way of life: Information. — 1991

verb2

•
(slang) To attack by surprise; to subject to a sneak attack.
- The first and second ships had been successfully Pearl Harbored. The third was not to be surprised. As we approached, she dropped her net and fled. We pursued. — 2000
•
(slang, rare) To take rudely by surprise.
- Of course, with the Soviets' launch of Sputnik, the Americans had been Pearl Harbored in space. — 2001

forms

Pearl Harbored · Pearl Harboring · Pearl Harbors

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