rolling scissors

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈɹol.ɪŋ ˈsɪz.ɚz/

rolling scissors (countable and uncountable, plural rolling scissors)

1. (uncountable, aviation, military, with the) A form of the scissors defensive maneuver in dogfighting, involving pulling up, rolling one's aircraft towards that of the attacker, and pulling the nose of one's aircraft towards the attacker to force an overshoot, resulting in the two aircraft barrel-rolling around each other as each attempts to gain the advantage.
   • 2021 March 19, Bosnian Ape Society, 4:36 from the start, in Is Your Car Safe From Supermaneuverable Air-Defense Fighter Aircraft?‎, archived from the original on 7 August 2022:

     Remember: maintain your aircraft's energy, keep his tail on your line of sight, and relentlessly pursue the insufferable oaf that insulted your driving skills. If he gets behind you, break out the rolling scissors and force an overshoot.

   1. (countable, aviation, military) An instance of the above dogfighting maneuver.

• scissors

• defensive spiral

• flat scissors