round one
Fight's first chapter
Round one is the first stage of a multi-stage competition or conflict.
In boxing and other combat sports, it's literally the opening period of the match.
The phrase extends to any situation with anticipated follow-ups: Round one of negotiations went well, but the hard part comes tomorrow.
It implies more rounds to come—that this is just the beginning.
- boutLimited stretch of something
- opening bellTrading session's start marker
- bellHollow resonating instrument
- boxingCombat sport using fists
- boxing ringRoped platform for pugilism
fight · title fight · match · opening · knockout · corner · throw in the towel · saved by the bell · ring · preliminary · qualifier · first · start · contender · prize fighter · punch · jab · come out swinging
- tournament roundsqualifier, quarterfinals, semifinals, finals, playoff game
- candidatescandidate, candidates, nominee, nominees, contender
- sequence wordsfirst, second, third, next, fourth
- preliminarieswarmup, warm-up, qualifying exam, intro, preface
round onefinal round
Ultimate competitive stage
last round · finale · semifinal · grand final · final
round onefinal round
Ultimate competitive stage
endgame · final chapter · last act · conclusion · denouement
round oneround two
Subsequent phase of competition
rematch · second attempt · do-over · return bout · sequel
round, one, rounds, rounded, rounding, rounder, roundest, roundly, roundness