down payment

Definitions

1. A payment representing a fraction of the price of something being purchased, made to secure the right to continue making payments towards that purchase.
2. Any initial commitment signifying an intention to carry out a larger future commitment, even though no legal rights or obligations are secured.
   broadly

Equivalents

Examples

“Her parents considered her school tuition a down payment on her future.”

“After decades of empty rhetoric, that's the down payment that we need⟳ on energy independence.”

“2009 April 4, Barack Obama, NATO summit These commitments of troops, trainers, and civilians represent⟳ a strong down payment on the future of our mission in Afghanistan and on the future of NATO.”

“After all, when you buy⟳ a car, you're making a large down payment on future journeys - buying an annual rail pass⟳ or railcard should be no different.”

CEFR level