a daring gambit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a daring gambit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a bold or risky strategy or action, often in a competitive or challenging context. Example: "The entrepreneur's decision to invest all her savings in the startup was a daring gambit that could either lead to great success or significant loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But the fact is that the first ones to use a daring gambit come away looking smart, while the next ones only look sleazy, so the likelihood of a parade of late switches does not seem likely.

The New York Times

This may be a daring gambit, but it feels more like a cop-out, the substitution, at the last moment, of sentimentality for genuine pathos, a decision to tell what should have been shown.

The New York Times

The Alzheimer's program was a daring gambit that grew out of the $600 million purchase of Athena.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In this larger game, mastering Go is a small but daring gambit, like stone No. 103 in a game of 300.

Science Magazine

Markus's daring gambit in "Across an Untried Sea" is that Charlotte Cushman's counterpart in Britain (her iceberg, so to speak) was Jane Welsh Carlyle, a surgeon's daughter from outside Edinburgh who submerged her considerable talents in the service of her husband, the Victorian sage Thomas Carlyle.

The New York Times - Books

His most daring gambit, however, was to persuade Henry Fonda to play his monstrous killer – railroad enforcer Frank.

The Guardian - Film

Its most daring gambit -- to treat Germany's monsters as human -- is also the source of its greatest failure, which is that it uses the conventions of wartime melodrama to elicit sympathy for people who hardly deserve it.

The New York Times

Their most daring gambit came not from Yunel Escobar, who bolted home from third when Rivera's pitch bounced away from Russell Martin — "I was upset at that one," Rivera said — but from John McDonald, who replaced the injured Aaron Hill in the sixth.

The New York Times - Sports

It's frightening, really, maybe one of the most daring gambits in a movie this year, certainly in the last couple of years (which is apparently how long this movie sat on a shelf before being released).

The New York Times

But the governor's two most daring gambits involve annoying his own party.The first is backing Proposition 71, which raises $3 billion to finance stem-cell research, which is anathema to social conservatives.

The Economist

Some recent standouts include "The Promise," from WPLN, about a daring public-housing gambit in Nashville; "Bear Brook," from NHPR, about a revelatory cold case in New Hampshire; and "The Big One," from KPCC, which imagined a devastating earthquake in Los Angeles.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a daring gambit" when you want to emphasize both the boldness and the risk associated with a particular action or strategy, particularly in situations involving competition or high stakes.

Common error

Avoid using "a daring gambit" to describe simple decisions or actions that do not involve significant risk or potential consequences. Reserve it for situations where the boldness of the action is truly noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a daring gambit" functions as a noun phrase, where "daring" is an adjective modifying the noun "gambit". It describes a particular kind of action or strategy, one that is both bold and risky, as supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a daring gambit" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a bold and risky strategy, with Ludwig AI confirming its proper usage in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts and is suitable for neutral to formal registers. The phrase implies a strategic action with the potential for significant reward but also carries considerable risk. When using "a daring gambit", ensure the situation warrants the emphasis on both boldness and risk, avoiding its overuse in mundane contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bold strategy

Focuses on the boldness of the approach while being less specific about the risk.

a risky maneuver

Emphasizes the inherent risk involved in the action.

an audacious move

Highlights the courage and willingness to take risks.

a venturesome undertaking

Focuses on the exploratory and potentially hazardous nature of the action.

a high-stakes play

Highlights the potential consequences of the action.

an adventurous step

Emphasizes the willingness to embrace new and potentially difficult challenges.

a courageous initiative

Focuses on the bravery and proactive nature of the action.

a calculated risk

Highlights the analytical aspect behind taking the chance.

a strategic gamble

Emphasizes the strategic thinking involved in a risky decision.

a bold attempt

Stresses the courage and determination in trying something difficult.

FAQs

How can I use "a daring gambit" in a sentence?

You can use "a daring gambit" to describe a bold or risky strategy or action. For instance, "The company's decision to launch the product in a new market was "a daring gambit" to increase revenue".

What's a good synonym for "a daring gambit"?

Synonyms include "a bold strategy", "a risky maneuver", or "an audacious move". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a daring gambit" formal or informal?

"A daring gambit" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards formal writing due to the use of "gambit".

What's the difference between "a daring gambit" and "a calculated risk"?

"A daring gambit" emphasizes the boldness and risk involved in a strategic move, whereas "a calculated risk" implies that the risks have been carefully assessed and weighed against the potential benefits.