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Glite Dictionary
pre-empt

pre-empt

9.4
A high opening bid in bridge that tries to stop opponents bidding higher
  • noun
  • /priˈɛmpt/
  • Jargon
translation icon : preemptar
  • In bridge, a well-played pre-empt can disrupt the opponents' bidding and give you a strategic advantage.

Examples

  • She made a daring pre-empt to disrupt her opponents' bidding strategy.

  • His aggressive pre-empt left the opponents with few good options.

  • A well-timed pre-empt can put the other team under a lot of pressure.

  • In bridge, a strong pre-empt can secure a game.

  • A successful pre-empt can lead to a quick victory.

  • A high pre-empt bid is often used to prevent the other team from entering the auction.

  • Strategically using a pre-empt can pressure your opponents into making poor bids.

Synonyms

preemptive bid
vspre-empt
  • Jargon
7.9

An early high bid in bridge to stop opponents from bidding

stops opponents from making higher offers rather than any offer

Surface Forms

pre-empt singular
pre-empts plural

Etymology

The word pre-empt comes from pre- meaning 'before' and the Latin emere meaning 'to buy', so it originally meant 'to buy up before someone else' as a way to stop them getting it. So in card games a pre-empt is a high opening bid that acts before the opponents to block their chances.