divebomb

English

Alternative forms

• dive-bomb, dive bomb

Etymology

dive +‎ bomb

Verb

divebomb (third-person singular simple present divebombs, present participle divebombing, simple past and past participle divebombed)

1. (of an aircraft) To bomb whilst in a steep dive.
2. (of a bird) To attack (especially the head of) a person or animal that strays into their territory.
3. (auto racing) To attempt an overtake by braking very late on corner entry.
4. (of a motorist) To overtake slower traffic by way of a more circuitous route, such as a pair of freeway exit and entrance ramps.
   • 2015 April 21, Robert Thompson, “Drivers protest those who seek the inside track on highways”, in The Washington Post‎^[1], retrieved 2022-10-07:

     Dive-bombing is perfectly legal as long as you do not cross any double solid white lines.

Synonyms

• (to overtake slower traffic by way of a more circuitous route): rat run

Related terms

• dive bomber