Pickett's charge

Alternative forms

 * Pickett's Charge (with a capital 'C')

Etymology
A reference to an event during the American Civil War, wherein 16,000 Confederate infantrymen attacked Union positions; the attack failed, with several thousand Confederate casualties.

Proper noun

 * 1) A valiant, futile frontal assault.
 * 2) A big battle.
 * 3) A bad decision.

Synonyms

 * Charge of the Light Brigade