preempt
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb:
- To acquire or appropriate something before others can do so: To take action to secure a right, opportunity, or item before anyone else has the chance.
- To replace or supersede something, often with something considered more important: To take the place of a scheduled event or program.
- To prevent or forestall an action by taking a prior action: To act in advance to block a rival move or bid.
Noun:
- A preemptive bid in bridge: In the card game bridge, a high opening bid made to obstruct opposing players from bidding effectively.
Examples of Usage
Verb:
- The company moved quickly to preempt the market by releasing its product first.
- Breaking news will preempt the usual television schedule tonight.
- She tried to preempt criticism by announcing the changes herself.
Noun:
- His opening preempt of three spades made it difficult for the opponents to find their best contract.
Advanced Usage
"to preempt someone from doing something": To prevent someone from acting by acting first.
- The new policy aims to preempt local governments from passing conflicting regulations.
In law and policy: Often used to describe a higher authority (like federal law) taking precedence over a lower one (like state law).
- Federal safety standards preempt state laws in this industry.
Variants and Related Words
Preemption (n): The act or right of preempting.
- The doctrine of federal preemption is a key constitutional principle.
Preemptive (adj): Done to prevent something from happening; serving to preempt.
- The military launched a preemptive strike.
Preemptor (n): One who preempts.
Synonyms
- Anticipate: To act as if expecting something to happen.
- Forestall: To prevent or hinder by taking action ahead of time.
- Usurp: To take a position or power without right (carries a negative connotation).
- Supersede: To take the place of something older or less effective.
Related Phrases
- Preemptive right: A privilege to acquire property or shares before it is offered to others.
- Preemptive bid: The specific bridge term from which the noun form originates.
Idioms and Common Collocations
"Preempt the need for...": To act in a way that makes something else unnecessary.
- Good planning can preempt the need for last-minute changes.
"Preempt a discussion/debate": To settle or address an issue before formal discussion begins.
- The chairperson's statement preempted a lengthy debate on the topic.
Noun
- a high bid that is intended to prevent the opposing players from bidding
Verb
- make a preemptive bid in the game of bridge
- gain possession of by prior right or opportunity, especially so as to obtain the right to buy (land)
- take the place of or have precedence over
- live broadcast of the presidential debate preempts the regular news hour
- discussion of the emergency situation will preempt the lecture by the professor
- acquire for oneself before others can do so