a friendly overture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a friendly overture" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gesture or action intended to establish goodwill or friendliness, often in the context of initiating communication or a relationship. Example: "The manager made a friendly overture by inviting the new employees to lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Afflicted with insiderism and an eagerness to please, Rogers could be disarmed with a friendly overture.

The New York Times - Books

Ms. Lee said she felt the offer was less a friendly overture than an attempt to muzzle the musicians.

The New York Times

Mr Kasyanov may be clever and tough, but nothing in his past suggests that he is likely to be a scourge of the oligarchs.Mr Putin has made a friendly overture to the Poles, ever suspicious of Russia, but his lieutenants have at the same time been making nasty noises towards other neighbours, including the Balts, whose recently restored independence from Russia is fragile.

The Economist

What appeared, however, to be a friendly overture to philanthropists by the President in regard to his effort to expand pre-K education, especially for disadvantaged children, actually holds its own significant dangers.

Forbes

In an earlier online column, I suggested that activists might consider making a friendly overture toward Brazil in the hope that the South American juggernaut might cease its counter-productive negotiations within the BASIC group which is fast becoming a chief obstacle to enacting progressive climate change legislation.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

MGM Grand made a bid for Mirage — whether it was a hostile or friendly overture has been a point of contention between the two sides — eventually agreeing to buy the company for $4.4 billion and to assume about $2 billion of Mirage debt.

The New York Times

Take a friendly approach.

WikiHow

In light of the disclosures, it doesn't seem to make much sense for activists to conduct any "friendly overtures".

Huffington Post

But then the way he framed his internal workings to me, it made me feel like I was deluded in any friendly overtures I perceived – that I might as well try to develop feelings for a Cadbury's Creme Egg.

Vice

But then the way he framed his internal workings to me, it made me feel like I was deluded in any friendly overtures I perceived that I might as well try to develop feelings for a chocolate bar.

Vice

Instead, in what appeared to be an effort to embarrass the American President, Trump's friendly overture to Putin was announced days later by the Kremlin, after the U.S. joined a host of European allies in expelling dozens of Russian diplomats in response to a deadly nerve-agent attack on British soil.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a friendly overture" when initiating a dialogue or relationship where trust and mutual respect are crucial. In professional settings, it can set a positive tone for negotiations or collaborations.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a friendly overture" guarantees genuine intentions. Evaluate the context and the other party's actions to determine if the friendliness is authentic or merely a tactic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a friendly overture" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to a specific act or gesture intended to create a positive or amicable atmosphere. Ludwig AI confirms this usage aligns with examples found in various sources, indicating its role in describing intentional acts of goodwill.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a friendly overture" describes an action meant to initiate goodwill and positive relations. Ludwig AI identifies it as a grammatically correct noun phrase that's most frequently used in News & Media and Wiki contexts, making it a versatile expression across formal and informal settings. Alternatives such as "a cordial gesture" or "a welcoming approach" can be employed to add nuance to the message. While generally positive, the sincerity behind any "friendly overture" should always be carefully evaluated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a gesture of goodwill

Focuses on the intention behind the action.

a cordial gesture

Replaces "friendly" with "cordial", emphasizing politeness and formality.

a welcoming approach

Substitutes "overture" with "approach", highlighting the manner of introduction.

a positive advance

Emphasizes forward movement in a relationship or negotiation.

an amicable move

Replaces both "friendly" and "overture" to focus on the action being agreeable.

a civil approach

Focuses on politeness and respect.

a warm invitation

Implies a more direct offering of friendship or partnership.

a conciliatory effort

Highlights the attempt to reconcile or create peace.

a neighborly act

Specifically suggests kindness or assistance between neighbors.

a peace offering

Implies a resolution after conflict or tension.

FAQs

How can I use "a friendly overture" in a sentence?

You can use "a friendly overture" to describe an action taken to initiate a positive relationship. For example: "The company extended "a friendly overture" by offering a partnership to the smaller firm."

What's a good alternative to "a friendly overture"?

Alternatives include "a cordial gesture", "a welcoming approach", or "a gesture of goodwill". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to make "a friendly overture"?

While generally positive, consider the context. In situations where trust is already broken or there's a power imbalance, "a friendly overture" might be misconstrued or ineffective. Assess the situation before proceeding.

What should I expect after making "a friendly overture"?

The response can vary. Be prepared for acceptance, rejection, or a cautious approach. A genuine overture is about initiating, not demanding, a positive relationship. Respect the other party's response, whatever it may be.