gambit

American  

[gam-bit] / ˈgæm bɪt /

noun

1. Chess. an opening in which a player seeks to obtain some advantage by sacrificing a pawn or piece.

2. any maneuver by which one seeks to gain an advantage.

   Synonyms:

   ruse, scheme, stratagem, ploy

3. a remark made to open or redirect a conversation.

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gambit British  

/ ˈɡæmbɪt /

noun

1. chess an opening move in which a chessman, usually a pawn, is sacrificed to secure an advantageous position

2. an opening comment, manoeuvre, etc, intended to secure an advantage or promote a point of view

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Etymology

Origin of gambit

1650–60; < French < Spanish gambito or Italian gambetto (akin to Old French gambet, jambet ), equivalent to gamb ( a ) leg + -etta -et

Example Sentences

He has only given you that $1,000 as an opening gambit, and now he wants something from you, but he is too Machiavellian to ask for it outright.

From MarketWatch

Both gambits are aimed at heading off a possible U.S. strike.

From The Wall Street Journal

Founded in 2002, SpaceX was Musk’s gambit to reignite the space industry that lost its luster after the Cold War wound down.

From The Wall Street Journal

When it comes to capex, Meta is making the biggest gamble, and if it doesn’t hit, the company will have to pivot again, much like it did around its Metaverse gambit.

From Barron's

We know that because after Streeting's gambit, a missive was sent around government by the Cabinet Office ordering them not to.

From BBC