winner take all

American  

[win-er teyk awl] / ˈwɪn ər ˈteɪk ˈɔl /

Sometimes winner-take-all also winner takes all

idiom

1. a situation or outcome in which the winner receives all the prizes or rewards (often used attributively).

   In some states, delegates are proportioned according to the vote, whereas in others the contests are winner take all.

   The qualifying tournament leaves little room for error, and once a team advances past group play, they face a must-win situation in a winner-take-all quarterfinal.

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Etymology

Origin of winner take all

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

“It’s winner take all,” she said.

From Seattle Times

Defending champion Tom Slingsby of Team Australia sped ahead of rivals Nathan Outteridge and Jimmy Spithill to claim SailGP’s $1 million, winner take all Season 2 championship on a crazy Sunday afternoon on San Francisco Bay.

From Seattle Times

Yet one thing that’s already becoming clear: The pandemic isn’t going to save the heartland by jarring loose companies and high-skilled workers from superstar cities such as Seattle in favor of Cincinnati, St. Louis and other places left out of “winner take all” urbanism.

From Seattle Times

Votes are counted in most American elections using plurality rules, or "winner take all."

From Salon

Stepping back from the knife edge of “winner take all” capitalism moves a country to a safer but duller place.

From Washington Post