noun

gambit

GAM-biht

noun

In chess, an opening move where a player deliberately gives up a pawn or piece to gain a stronger position.

"He opened with the Queen's Gambit, offering up a pawn to control the center."

Any calculated move or strategy, especially one that involves an initial small sacrifice or risk for a later advantage.

"Cutting prices for the first month was a gambit to win over new customers."

"Her resignation turned out to be a clever gambit to force the board's hand."

A remark made to start or steer a conversation.

"He opened with a weather-related gambit before getting to the real topic."

How to Use Gambit

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA strategic move, often one that costs something upfront in order to gain an edge later.

Common pairings

a risky gambit a clever gambit an opening gambit pull off a gambit

gambited past tense, gambits plural, gambits singular

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He opened with the Queen's _____, offering up a pawn to control the center.

From Italian gambetto, "a tripping up," from gamba ("leg") — the chess sense entered English in the 1600s.