Gambit
noun
An action or set of actions performed with the aim of gaining an advantage in a situation or game.
His reluctance to answer was a strategic gambit to avoid controversy.
Often appears as...
- strategic gambit
- opening gambit
noun
In chess, this is a move where a player risks losing a piece to get a more advantageous position.
He made a bold gambit and sacrificed his rook to place the queen in a vulnerable position.
Often appears as...
- pawn gambit
- queen's gambit
noun
In conversation, it is a remark or question that is intended to start the conversation or lead it in a specific direction.
His wife's question was a subtle gambit forcing him to reveal his secret.
Often appears as...
- conversation gambit
- verbal gambit
Usage tips
Formal
noun
An action or set of actions performed with the aim of gaining an advantage in a situation or game.
His reluctance to answer was a strategic gambit to avoid controversy.
Often appears as...
- strategic gambit
- opening gambit
noun
In chess, this is a move where a player risks losing a piece to get a more advantageous position.
He made a bold gambit and sacrificed his rook to place the queen in a vulnerable position.
Often appears as...
- pawn gambit
- queen's gambit
noun
In conversation, it is a remark or question that is intended to start the conversation or lead it in a specific direction.
His wife's question was a subtle gambit forcing him to reveal his secret.
Often appears as...
- conversation gambit
- verbal gambit
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Risk for Advantage
A gambit involves taking a risk to gain a future advantage, often used in competitive scenarios.
Launching the new product first was a gambit to capture the market.
Pro Tip 2/3Calculated Risk
Using 'gambit' often implies a planned, strategic risk rather than a reckless move.
The politician's gambit to engage with younger voters could tip the scales.
Pro Tip 3/3Business Context
In business, a gambit refers to bold decisions made to outdo competitors or change the game.
Their low pricing was a gambit to unsettle the established players.
Compare with
deviceinitiativemanoeuvreplanployschemestrategytactic
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Video examples
The creative power of...
And if you're trying to motivate technical or creative people, you can tell them they're being doubted by a bunch of suits. That's what those black sheep probably are looking for, is an opportunity to show what they can do. Pixar producer Nicole Grindle saw Brad's underdog gambit pay off.
Video examples
Man vs. Mob PIPE National...
wired him up dozens and dozens of times to send him to meetings with organized crime people the operation is codenamed gambit short for gambling attorney a reference to coolies taste for gambling and to the risk he's taking if found out he would
Video examples
Sneaky Kea Raids A...
isn't a trick the bird was taught this keyer is a wild creature it figured out the problem without any human prompting a perfect opening gambit observations of intelligent behavior like this have brought scientists from across the world
Video examples
The Greek myth of Talos,...
and devised a clever gambit. Medea offered Talos a she claimed that she could make Talos immortal in exchange for removing the bolt. Medea's promise resonated deep within his core. Unaware of his own mechanical nature,
Video examples
The creative power of...
And if you're trying to motivate technical or creative people, you can tell them they're being doubted by a bunch of suits. That's what those black sheep probably are looking for, is an opportunity to show what they can do. Pixar producer Nicole Grindle saw Brad's underdog gambit pay off.
Video examples
Man vs. Mob PIPE National...
wired him up dozens and dozens of times to send him to meetings with organized crime people the operation is codenamed gambit short for gambling attorney a reference to coolies taste for gambling and to the risk he's taking if found out he would
Video examples
Sneaky Kea Raids A...
isn't a trick the bird was taught this keyer is a wild creature it figured out the problem without any human prompting a perfect opening gambit observations of intelligent behavior like this have brought scientists from across the world
Video examples
The Greek myth of Talos,...
and devised a clever gambit. Medea offered Talos a she claimed that she could make Talos immortal in exchange for removing the bolt. Medea's promise resonated deep within his core. Unaware of his own mechanical nature,
Example 1 of 4
Quote examples
Steve Carell
American Actor
I look at improvising as a prolonged game of chess. There's an opening gambit with your pawn in a complex game I have with one character, and lots of side games with other characters, and another game with myself - and in each game you make all these tiny, tiny moves that get you to the endgame.
Quote examples
E. F. Benson
English Novelist
Young gentlemen with literary aspirations usually start a new university magazine, which for wit and pungency is designed to eclipse all such previous efforts, and I was no exception in the matter of this popular gambit.
Quote examples
Anthony Braxton
Musician
Most African Americans, especially the men and women from my generation, would accept the nationalist gambit that says only European Americans can be racists, which is an interesting gambit.
Quote examples
Philippe Cousteau, Jr.
American Scientist
Fossil fuels and mining is a short-term gambit. If we develop those resources at the expense of the environmental gold mine that is the Great Barrier Reef, we will all lose in the long run.
Quote examples
Ne-Yo
American Musician
Via social media, I reached out, asking about relationships, dreams, hopes, fears, the whole gambit, and the stories that really resonated with me, I wrote songs about.
Quote examples
Trixie Mattel
American Entertainer
Katya and I, as a yin and a yang, we pretty much represent the entire, full gambit of talent, you know? Together, there's not really much we can't do.
Quote examples
Edward Zwick
American Director
The most interesting thing to me in chess are not the gambits. Or the moves. It's the mental toughness.
Quote examples
Colson Whitehead
American Novelist
Each book requires a different kind of treatment and structural gambit.
Quote examples
Sarah Pinborough
English Writer
Never trust a narrator whose opening gambit is to insist he's not mad.
Quote examples
Steve Carell
American Actor
I look at improvising as a prolonged game of chess. There's an opening gambit with your pawn in a complex game I have with one character, and lots of side games with other characters, and another game with myself - and in each game you make all these tiny, tiny moves that get you to the endgame.
Quote examples
E. F. Benson
English Novelist
Young gentlemen with literary aspirations usually start a new university magazine, which for wit and pungency is designed to eclipse all such previous efforts, and I was no exception in the matter of this popular gambit.
Quote examples
Anthony Braxton
Musician
Most African Americans, especially the men and women from my generation, would accept the nationalist gambit that says only European Americans can be racists, which is an interesting gambit.
Quote examples
Philippe Cousteau, Jr.
American Scientist
Fossil fuels and mining is a short-term gambit. If we develop those resources at the expense of the environmental gold mine that is the Great Barrier Reef, we will all lose in the long run.
Quote examples
Ne-Yo
American Musician
Via social media, I reached out, asking about relationships, dreams, hopes, fears, the whole gambit, and the stories that really resonated with me, I wrote songs about.
Quote examples
Trixie Mattel
American Entertainer
Katya and I, as a yin and a yang, we pretty much represent the entire, full gambit of talent, you know? Together, there's not really much we can't do.
Quote examples
Edward Zwick
American Director
The most interesting thing to me in chess are not the gambits. Or the moves. It's the mental toughness.
Quote examples
Colson Whitehead
American Novelist
Each book requires a different kind of treatment and structural gambit.
Quote examples
Sarah Pinborough
English Writer
Never trust a narrator whose opening gambit is to insist he's not mad.
Example 1 of 9
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