to the victor belong the spoils
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The winner gets everything, as in He not only won the tournament but ended up with numerous lucrative endorsements—to the victor belong the spoils. This expression alludes to the spoils system of American politics, whereby the winner of an election gives desirable jobs to party supporters. [First half of 1800s]
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Question 1 of 7
The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
Words nearby to the victor belong the spoils
to the nth degree, to the point, tother, to the teeth, to the tune of, to the victor belong the spoils, to the wall, toti-, totidem verbis, toting, totipalmate
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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