opening salvo

USAGE SUMMARY

"opening salvo" is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase is typically used to describe the start or initiation of an argument, struggle, or competition. For example, "The first debate is the opening salvo in the battle between the two presidential hopefuls."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Consider this opening salvo: "Henry was horrid.

The Guardian - Books

* Opening salvo in corporate tax revamp (Adds administration official, Bernstein comments).

Huffington Post

This opening salvo augurs well.

The New York Times - Arts

And an opening salvo.

The New York Times - Books

Here's his opening salvo.

The Guardian - Sport

Not bad for an opening salvo, though.

Independent

Still, it was an important opening salvo.

The New York Times

movement's opening salvo had been fired.

The New Yorker

"But this is just the opening salvo.

The New York Times

Gail Collins: This is not the opening salvo I expected.

The New York Times

Mr. Gopnik's opening salvo was a partisan one.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "opening salvo" when you want to emphasize the initiation of a conflict, debate, or competition. It's particularly effective when highlighting the aggressive or strategic nature of the beginning.

Common error

Avoid using "opening salvo" in neutral or positive contexts. The phrase carries a connotation of conflict or aggression, so it's not appropriate for describing simple beginnings or introductions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opening salvo" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is used to describe the initiation of a conflict or competition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "opening salvo" is a common and grammatically correct English expression used to describe the start of a conflict or competition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its typical usage is in news and media contexts to highlight the initiation of disputes or rivalries. While appropriate for formal writing and analytical contexts, it should be used cautiously in neutral or positive settings due to its inherent connotation of conflict. Remember to consider related phrases like "initial action" or "first move" depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

launching attack

Emphasizes the aggressive and confrontational nature of an initial action.

opening gambit

Implies a calculated and potentially risky initial move, often in a negotiation or strategic situation.

first move

Emphasizes the strategic aspect of beginning something, particularly in a competitive context.

initial foray

Suggests a first attempt or venture into a new area or activity.

initial action

Focuses on the commencement of an action without necessarily implying conflict or aggression.

preliminary measure

Suggests an action taken in preparation for something more significant.

first stage

Highlights that something is in the beginning phase.

inaugural step

Highlights the formal or ceremonial nature of a beginning.

starting point

Indicates the very beginning of a process or journey.

introductory offer

Specifically refers to a promotional beginning, often in a business context.

FAQs

How can I use "opening salvo" in a sentence?

Use "opening salvo" to describe the first action in a conflict or competition, for example, "The politician's speech was the "opening salvo" in what promises to be a heated debate".

What is an alternative to saying "opening salvo"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "initial action", "first move", or "launching attack" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "opening salvo" always negative?

While not inherently negative, "opening salvo" typically implies the beginning of a conflict, dispute, or aggressive competition. Its connotation is generally confrontational.

What's the difference between "opening salvo" and "first step"?

"Opening salvo" suggests an aggressive beginning to a conflict, whereas "first step" simply denotes the beginning of a process, without necessarily implying any antagonism.