gambit

[ gam-bit ]

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.

gambit

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gambit¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gambit¹

C17: from French, from Italian gambetto a tripping up, from gamba leg

Example Sentences

And if the Congress doesn’t recess, Trump may have another norm-shattering gambit in reserve.

From Los Angeles Times

In yet another directorial gambit, Gold’s “Romeo + Juliet” looks, sounds and no doubt smells like teen spirit in a production determined to ignite a new generation’s love affair with the play.

From Los Angeles Times

Gershman decried the "repetitive legal ploys, frivolous arguments and gamesmanship" Trump's legal team engaged in to delay his cases and the Supreme Court and Judhge Cannon's role in making the lawyers' gambit "a huge success."

From Salon

The gambit helped to consolidate Republican support behind Garvey and vault him past fierce competitor Rep. Katie Porter, an Orange County Democrat, who finished a distant third.

From Los Angeles Times

The order is Carter’s opening gambit — in the judge’s words, an “icebreaker” to cut through bureaucratic malaise — toward an ambitious goal.

From Los Angeles Times