opening gambit
noun
: a first move
Their opening gambit in the negotiations was to demand a wage hike.
Examples of opening gambit in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This year, the league title is just the opening gambit.
—
Peter Rutzler, The Athletic, 28 Apr. 2024
Shannon’s opening gambit about what’s bothering her is confusing.
—Peter Larsen, Orange County Register, 12 July 2024
Even after this opening gambit failed to stop Pyongyang’s missile and nuclear tests, or North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s aggressive rhetoric, Trump has remained fixated on China’s role.
—Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2017
Propst had everyone fooled for his first game in his home state since resigning from Hoover in 2007, and his opening gambit was almost enough against one of the state’s most talented up-and-coming coaches.
—Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 26 Aug. 2023
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has laid out an opening gambit in what is likely to be a lengthy battle over the debt ceiling, suggesting that Republicans are open to a deal – but at a very high price.
—Bryan Keogh, The Conversation, 19 Apr. 2023
Because Edelman’s opening gambit reveals itself to be cannily constructed.
—Vulture, 27 June 2023
Riyadh has also listed a series of high-stake demands, including U.S. help in developing nuclear power, but U.S. officials see that as an opening gambit.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2023
Advertisement Some of his advice was reflected in the Limit, Save, Grow Act passed by the House in April as an opening gambit in debt ceiling negotiations.
—John Wagner, Washington Post, 7 June 2023
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Peter Rutzler, The Athletic, 28 Apr. 2024
Shannon’s opening gambit about what’s bothering her is confusing.
—Peter Larsen, Orange County Register, 12 July 2024
Even after this opening gambit failed to stop Pyongyang’s missile and nuclear tests, or North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s aggressive rhetoric, Trump has remained fixated on China’s role.
—Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2017
Propst had everyone fooled for his first game in his home state since resigning from Hoover in 2007, and his opening gambit was almost enough against one of the state’s most talented up-and-coming coaches.
—Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 26 Aug. 2023
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has laid out an opening gambit in what is likely to be a lengthy battle over the debt ceiling, suggesting that Republicans are open to a deal – but at a very high price.
—Bryan Keogh, The Conversation, 19 Apr. 2023
Because Edelman’s opening gambit reveals itself to be cannily constructed.
—Vulture, 27 June 2023
Riyadh has also listed a series of high-stake demands, including U.S. help in developing nuclear power, but U.S. officials see that as an opening gambit.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2023
Advertisement Some of his advice was reflected in the Limit, Save, Grow Act passed by the House in April as an opening gambit in debt ceiling negotiations.
—John Wagner, Washington Post, 7 June 2023
Dictionary Entries Near opening gambit
Cite this Entry
“Opening gambit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opening%20gambit. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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