Hence, they looked upon them as preliminary skirmishes preceding that great battle and leading toward it.

A few preliminary skirmishes in the early stages of the relationship will make it clear how the man is going to react to tears.

Not a bad game in the circumstances but just a preliminary skirmish in World Cup terms.

The preliminary skirmishes have taken place, but the main engagement is still to come.

The episode of 1914 had been a preliminary skirmish.

Yeah, but let's face it, that was just a preliminary skirmish.

Just a preliminary skirmish, which could all come undone if he lost the next bit.

But the issue is much broader than race, and the Brustein-Wilson debate was most likely just a preliminary skirmish.

Mark had not moved during these preliminary skirmishes.

Not when you consider all the preliminary skirmishes.