gambit — English Dictionary

Noun

1. An opening in chess in which material is sacrificed to gain an advantage.

   Examples

   Her clever gambit gave her an advantage.

2. Any ploy or stratagem.

   Examples

   Their promise to lower taxes is clearly an election-year gambit.

   More examples (1)

   The Red Holocaust is best interpreted in this light as the bitter fruit of an^([sic]) utopian gambit that was socially misengineered into a dystopic nightmare by despots in humanitarian disguise.

   An opening sequence, featuring a de-aged Ford playing a younger Indy, is a bold and nostalgic gambit, offering a glimpse of what you've missed.

3. A remark intended to open a conversation.

Verb

1. To sacrifice (a pawn or minor piece) to gain an advantage.

   Usage

   • Transitive

Noun

1. an opening remark intended to secure an advantage for the speaker

   Synonyms

   ploy

   Broader terms

   remarkcommentinput

2. a maneuver in a game or conversation

   Synonyms

   ploystratagem

   Broader terms

   maneuvermanoeuvretactical maneuvertactical manoeuvre

3. a chess move early in the game in which the player sacrifices minor pieces in order to obtain an advantageous position

   Broader terms

   chess move