preliminary skirmish; minor clash before a main battle
Military or strategic term for a small-scale engagement that precedes a larger conflict. Often used metaphorically.
A preliminary skirmish between the two armies began near the border.
prelude; warm-up match; preliminary encounter
Commonly used in sports, politics, and business for a contest or event that serves as a lead-up to a more important one.
As a warm-up match before the final, the two teams played a practice game.
Preliminary encounters leading up to next month's main election are unfolding across the country.
This match is being called a prelude to the final.
The warm-up matches for next month's tournament have finally begun.
Both camps had been engaging in a preliminary skirmish even before the election.