追い討ち
Meanings
attacking a fleeing enemy; mopping-up attack
Literal military term: striking an enemy who is retreating or already defeated. Often used in historical or strategic contexts.
They launched a mopping-up attack on the fleeing enemy.
adding insult to injury; rubbing salt into a wound; piling on
Figurative use: an additional misfortune or harsh action that makes a bad situation worse. Common in the phrase 追い討ちをかける.
Losing my job and then getting sick was adding insult to injury.
He said something that rubbed salt into the wound for his depressed friend.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉に追い討ちをかけるto deal an additional blow to someone (already struggling)
On top of the layoff announcement, a pay cut dealt an additional blow to the employees.
- 〈人〉が追い討ちを受けるfor someone to suffer a further blow on top of an existing setback
Some areas, already damaged by the typhoon, were further struck by flooding.
- 退却する〈相手〉に追い討ちをかけるto press an attack against a retreating enemy
The moment the enemy army began to retreat, our forces pressed the attack.