consolation prize

American  

noun

1. a prize, usually of minor value, given to the loser or runner-up in a contest, competition, etc., or to all losers who have performed well or met certain standards.

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consolation prize British  

noun

1. a prize given to console a loser of a game

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Etymology

Origin of consolation prize

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Instead, they were able to win a major consolation prize -- turning the spotlight on an issue that fires up their base.

From Barron's

The consolation prize is the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, an award that has evolved into the Too Bad You’re Not a Quarterback trophy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lucky for Cruise, he got a consolation prize in the form of a Saturn Award nomination from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films.

From Los Angeles Times

If the FA Cup really is struggling to count as a consolation prize for Guardiola and City this season, you could have fooled everyone inside Vitality Stadium who watched him.

From BBC

“That was kind of our consolation prize,” Catherine said.

From Salon