GREAT GIFT IDEA!

The Vocabulary Builder Workbook of Adjectives

✔ Add 2,000 must-know adjectives to your vocabulary.

✔ All-in-one: dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.

✔ 99 categorized lessons, 232 practical activities.

✔ Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.

✔ Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, CPE, BEC, PTE, FCE

Buy on Amazon

4.9

Transform Your Vocabulary Today!

gambit

noun

/ˈɡambɪt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of gambit

An strategic action or remark that is made with the intention of gaining an advantage.
"She employed a gambit of feigned ignorance to gain the upper hand in the discussion."

Detailed meaning of gambit

The term is often used in a strategic or tactical context, such as in chess or business. For example, a chess player might make a gambit move in order to gain control of the center of the board or to open up lines for their pieces. Similarly, a business leader might make a gambit offer to a potential partner in order to gain a competitive advantage. The term can also be used in more general contexts, such as in politics or social interactions, where it refers to a calculated move or statement meant to gain an advantage or to put one's opponent at a disadvantage. It implies a calculated risk, as the person making the gambit is aware that it might not work but still takes the chance.

Example sentences containing gambit

1. The chess player executed a brilliant gambit to gain an early advantage.
2. The politician's unexpected speech was a risky gambit to gain public support.
3. The company's marketing team devised a clever gambit to attract new customers.
4. The negotiator played a strategic gambit to sway the opposing party's decision.
5. The opening gambit in the game caught the opponent off guard.
6. The detective used a gambit to trick the suspect into revealing crucial information.

History and etymology of gambit

The noun 'gambit' has an intriguing etymological history rooted in chess and Italian. It is derived from the Italian word 'gambetto,' which means 'a tripping up' or 'a gambit' in chess. The term originated from the verb 'gambire,' which signifies 'to trip' or 'to put one's leg in a trap.' In the context of chess, a 'gambit' refers to a strategic move where a player sacrifices a pawn or a minor piece early in the game with the intention of gaining an advantage in position or initiative. Over time, the word 'gambit' extended beyond chess and came to represent any strategic action or remark made with the intention of gaining an advantage, retaining its historical connection to the clever and often surprising moves seen in the game of chess.

Quiz: Find the meaning of the noun gambit:

answer1

answer2

answer3

answer4

Try Again!

Correct!

Continue Quiz

Further usage examples of gambit

1. The team's coach implemented a bold gambit that completely changed the dynamics of the game.
2. The gambit of offering discounts led to a surge in sales for the retailer.
3. The spy's gambit involved planting false information to mislead the enemy.
4. The entrepreneur's risky gambit paid off when their startup became a huge success.
5. The politician's controversial statement was seen as a desperate gambit to salvage their campaign.
6. The general devised a strategic gambit to outmaneuver the enemy forces.
7. The gambit of introducing a new product line revitalized the struggling company.
8. The writer's plot twist was a clever gambit that left readers stunned.
9. The lawyer used a legal gambit to cast doubt on the prosecution's case.
10. The team's unexpected formation was a tactical gambit to confuse their opponents.
11. The gambit of offering free trials attracted a large number of potential customers.
12. The gambit of releasing teaser trailers created a buzz around the upcoming movie.
13. The employee's gambit to take on a challenging project impressed their superiors.
14. The gambit of holding a charity event helped raise funds for a worthy cause.