forlorn-hope

Some of those who have borne great names as Nimrods in our hunting annals would as life have led a forlorn-hope as put a horse at a flight of hurdles.

Hunting Sketches 2004

The forward acceleration was equally from necessity, a forlorn-hope maneuver to pass the Sun as far out as possible and as fast as possible, in order to spend least time at perihelion, the point of closest approach.

The Past Through Tomorrow Heinlein, Robert A. 1967

The forward acceleration was equally from necessity, a forlorn-hope maneuver to pass the Sun as far out as possible and as fast as possible, in order to spend least time at perihelion, the point of closest approach.

Methuselah's Children Heinlein, Robert A. 1958

"The forlorn-hope of the German migration had performed its duty; the homeless people of the Cimbri and their comrades were no more" (Mommsen).

General History for Colleges and High Schools Philip Van Ness Myers

We therefore did not come off quite so well as if we had led the forlorn-hope ourselves; but, after so long a journey, we rejoiced in being admitted at all.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol 58, No. 357, July 1845 Various

Mackinnon had promised a company to the forlorn-hope leader, if he survived.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 378, April, 1847 Various

General Mackinnon -- who commanded the brigade and was blown to pieces at its head by the explosion of a mine -- wished to confer a mark of distinction on the gallant Eighty-eighth, and ordered that one of its subalterns should lead the forlorn-hope.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 378, April, 1847 Various

When you are fishing on the forlorn-hope principle, you are not thinking much about the immediate chances of sport.

Lines in Pleasant Places Being the Aftermath of an Old Angler William Senior

Gurwood, who led the forlorn-hope at the lesser breach, got his company; Mackie remained a lieutenant -- no captain of the

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 378, April, 1847 Various

Leaving the weaker brethren in a clump of evergreen shrubbery, we, the forlorn-hope, stole around the house to get at a back-door which Prophet

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 06, No. 35, September, 1860 Various