pre-empt
v
1 [Tn] obtain (sth) by acting in advance of others 抢先取得(某物); 预先占有(某物).
2 [Tn] (US) occupy (public land) in order to have the right to buy it before others (为获得优先购买权而)占有(公地).
3 [Tn] prevent (sth) by taking action in advance; forestall 抢先采取行动以阻止(某事物); 先发制人
The workers took control of the factory in order to pre-empt its sale by the owners. 工人们先发制人接管了工厂以阻止厂主将工厂出售.
4 [I] (in bridge) make a high opening bid despite having poor cards, in order to prevent further bidding (桥牌中)先发制人叫牌(尽管牌不好也仍叫得很高以阻止对方叫牌).
We want to purchase Chinese tea. Please send us your best offer by fax indicating origin packing, quantity available and the earliest time of shipment.
我们欲购中国茶。请用电传给我们报最好价,并说明产地、包装、可供数量及最早发货日期。
You can't buy them in the shop before eight o'clock.