The sale is a pre-emptivestrike to appease competition regulators in Brussels, who have the power to block the takeover.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The resulting fear of attack will encourage the neighbours to pre-emptivestrikes, which will in turn tempt the first group to strike against them and so on.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They hastily organised a pre-emptivestrike.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Seenational strike
Definition of 'pre-emptive'
pre-emptive
(priːemptɪv)Explore 'pre-emptive' in the dictionary
adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A pre-emptive attack or strike is intended to weaken or damage an enemy or opponent, for example by destroying their weapons before they can do any harm.