释义 |
Definition of pre-empt in English: pre-emptverb priːˈɛmpt [with object]1Take action in order to prevent (an anticipated event) happening; forestall. the government pre-empted a coup attempt Example sentencesExamples - For this campaign Soviet troops used parachute formations on a large scale to occupy the ports of Dairen and Port Arthur to pre-empt an anticipated American landing.
- Why don't these guys just talk and write like normal people in the first place, and thus pre-empt the ‘media misunderstandings’ they're always complaining about?
- The intent is to be able to quickly pre-empt disasters like the outbreak of mad cow disease that struck Europe during the '90s.
- Naturally, the conversation turned towards the difficulties of dedicating time to the demands of competitive yacht racing, pre-empted by the pressure of official duties.
- France's move is intended to pre-empt such action.
- Of course, the media is always trying to pre-empt events, but where there is smoke there is fire.
- Often the coup is undertaken to pre-empt revolutionary change from below and impose a measure of reform from above.
- Although I am not sure, I believe legislation thus pre-empts any attempt to recover additional damages through a lawsuit.
- We don't want to pre-empt anything that people might want to do,’ said Mrs Taylor.
- Hedging or pre-empting foreign currency exposure is an ideal way to protect profitability.
- Or, they may have decided to locate a store in Vancouver not because they believe they can make a profit there, but to pre-empt any of their global competitors from gaining the market share that Vancouver represents.
- First, it is clear the authorities did little or nothing to pre-empt the events of last year.
- So the agencies hope to pre-empt Congress, in part to preserve their own discretion.
- But on this occasion police pre-empted the event and warned drivers to keep away.
- The last thing the nation needed was for its Prime Minister to pre-empt such a debate by writing his own preamble.
Synonyms forestall, prevent steal a march on, anticipate, get in before informal get one's retaliation in first - 1.1 Act in advance of (someone) in order to prevent them doing something.
it looked as if she'd ask him more, but Parr pre-empted her Example sentencesExamples - Velised pre-empted him, causing an ‘accident’ that killed my mother and my brother Daniel.
- The central bank apparently decided to pre-empt the politicians, but the move has raised doubts about the true degree of its independence.
- Being a thoroughly honest person, I thought it would be wise to pre-empt any observant readers of this site, particularly the ones with long memories, who might recall an entry I posted here nearly eight months ago.
- However, once again he was pre-empted when the earl of Arran (heir to the Stewart succession) was proclaimed governor of Scotland on 3 January 1543.
- But as we were leaving I spotted that our Sales guy had something to add so I quickly pre-empted him.
- He was pre-empted by a question from the audience seeking an explanation as to why the former democratically-elected team had been sacked.
- However, the giant pre-empted him by the simple expedient of hauling the prostrate felon off the ground by his hair and then dropping him when Grundle had scrambled clear.
- Two translations of De Magnete appeared; although Thompson began first, he was pre-empted by P Fleury Mottelay's 1893 edition.
- I have not seen anything in the Minister's comments that suggest he was pre-empting anyone.
- Kirby sensed that Jason was about to negatively comment, so she pre-empted him with a warning remark to be nice.
- We would like to resolve this amicably but we were pre-empted.
- The company's spring meeting was the occasion for the shareholders to pre-empt the governing board by throwing down the gauntlet on finance and management of services.
- 1.2North American (of a broadcast) interrupt or replace (a scheduled programme)
the violence pre-empted regular programming Example sentencesExamples - That live broadcast pre-empted Seven's Sunday Sunrise, giving Michael Pascoe a day off.
- Werden also said that the station will be pre-empting or running special editions of their regular programming in favour of women centred content.
- In essence, you tell the unit, ‘I watch this show,’ and it does the rest, monitoring when an episode is a re-run or has been pre-empted for the week and acting accordingly.
- When they arrived at the studio, Johnny and Sarah were put in a dressing room, where Miss Roc explained that the scheduled show was being pre-empted for them.
- I'm hoping for January 21, thus ensuring that the premiere of America Idol 2 will be pre-empted for war coverage, and I won't be forced to watch it with Natalie.
- If special programming pre-empted the news shows' broadcast in New York City, transcripts were analyzed when available.
2Acquire or appropriate (something) in advance. many tables were already pre-empted by family parties Example sentencesExamples - Community groups are right to complain about the Ontario Municipal Board and the way it pre-empts the land-use decisions of municipal councils while destroying the relative permanence of Official Plans.
Synonyms commandeer, take possession of, occupy, seize, arrogate, appropriate, take over, take, acquire, secure, reserve - 2.1North American Occupy (public land) so as to have a pre-emptive right to buy it before others.
3Bridge no object Make a pre-emptive bid.
Origin Mid 19th century: back-formation from pre-emption. It you pre-empt someone, you get there first. The original Latin came from prae ‘in advance’ and emere ‘buy’. Pre-emption (early 17th century) was the earliest form of the word, pre-empt being formed from it. The same root lies behind premium (early 17th century).
Rhymes attempt, contempt, dreamt, exempt, kempt, tempt |