WorldAugust 29, 2026

gambit

GAM-bit

Definition

A risky or calculated action, strategy, or maneuver, often involving a sacrifice, intended to gain a tactical or strategic advantage.

Etymology

Derived from the Italian 'gambetto,' meaning to trip someone up, which evolved from the Latin 'gamba' (leg). It originally referred to a chess opening where a player sacrifices a piece to gain a positional advantage.

In the news

The article describes the Supreme Court rejecting Trump’s national security tariffs, characterizing the initial implementation of those tariffs as a bold, unsuccessful maneuver.

Untested in court, Trump’s new Canada tariffs raise legal questions

Read the full article ↗

The Boston Globe

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