Wiktionary
pipe-opener
n. 1 A device for putting a hole in a pipe. 2 A device or mechanism for clearing obstructions in a pipe. 3 (context sports English) A practice event; a warm-up. 4 (context figuratively English) A brisk walk or other aerobic exercise; a constitutional. 5 (context figuratively English) An example that serves as an introduction.
Usage examples of "pipe-opener".
With racing the next day, it was little more than a pipe-opener, and the string presently slowed to walk home.