Word
gambit
Phoneticsgam·bit, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɡæmbɪt/
UK/ɡˈæmbɪt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a clever move or something you say at the start of a situation to get an advantage later.
n. a calculated move, remark, or tactic used at the beginning of a situation to gain a strategic advantage. Often implies a degree of risk or the sacrifice of a minor element for a greater eventual gain.
Examples
“His opening gambit in the meeting was to offer a small discount.”
“The CEO's mention of a potential merger was a bold gambit designed to test the board's loyalty.”
“In international diplomacy, a small territorial concession is often used as a gambit to draw an opponent into more substantive negotiations regarding long-term peace.”
Examples
simple
“His opening gambit in the meeting was to offer a small discount.”
contextual
“The CEO's mention of a potential merger was a bold gambit designed to test the board's loyalty.”
complex
“In international diplomacy, a small territorial concession is often used as a gambit to draw an opponent into more substantive negotiations regarding long-term peace.”
Usage
Commonly used in the context of games like chess or in business and political negotiations.
Real-World Examples
“Every one of these leagues moved on from this gambit before long, switching to some other strategy, or however they spun the decision to cap the money gusher.” “You can’t argue with the opening gambit of Aphrodite: “I’ve never been in love and I don’t think it’s real.” Consider me grabbed.” Etymology
From Italian gambetto (“act of tripping; gambit”), from Italian gamba (“leg”), from Late Latin gamba.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/gambit