pipe-opener
Gets things flowing
A pipe-opener is something that clears the way or gets things flowing—originally British sporting slang for a preliminary exercise or warm-up that opens the breathing passages before more strenuous effort.
A brisk jog might serve as a pipe-opener before a race.
The term extends to anything that serves as a preliminary or gets something started: The first question was just a pipe-opener.
warmup
Before the main part
- curtain-raiserPreliminary theatrical performance
- preludeIntroductory piece or event
- leadoffFirst in sequence
- starterInitiator of action
icebreaker · tune-up · loosener · shakeout · exhibition · friendly · scrimmage · dry-run
preliminary
Before the main part
- curtain-raiserPreliminary theatrical performance
- preludeIntroductory piece or event
- leadoffFirst in sequence
starter · icebreaker · tune-up · loosener · shakeout · exhibition · friendly · scrimmage · dry-run · run-through