pre-empt ( preempt, especially in NAmE ) /priˈempt/
verb
[]
to prevent sth from happening by taking action to stop it 预先制止；防止；避免◆A good training course will pre-empt many problems. 良好的培训课程会避免许多问题。◆The CEO pre-empted criticism by resigning. 首席执行官辞职，得以免遭指责。
to do or say sth before sb else does 抢在…之前做（或说）；先发制人◆ I do not want to pre-empt anything that the other speakers are going to say. 我不想抢先把别人要说的话说出来。
▸pre-emptive ( preemptive, especially in NAmE ) /priˈemptɪv/
adjective
◆Pre-emptive action is necessary to prevent inflation going out of control. 有必要采取预防措施来防止通货膨胀失控。