win on points

Idioms  

1. Succeed but barely, especially by a technicality. For example, Both sides were forceful in that argument about the embargo, but I think the senator won on points. This term comes from boxing, where in the absence of a knockout the winner is decided on the basis of points awarded for each round. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1900s.

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Example Sentences

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win on points

Featherweight Raven Chapman: "Fury will outbox Uysk, keeping him long by using his size and reach advantage. Fury will win on points."

From BBC ● May 16, 2024

There is a precedent for Usyk being rattled by an opponent who just keeps advancing and shrugs off punches, as seen in his narrow win on points over Derek Chisora in 2020.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 24, 2023

Usyk took the belts off Joshua with a win on points last month.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 20, 2021

Instead, it’s like watching a general election campaign run for a safe seat, a boxer trying to win on points from Round 1, a soccer match that could have been an email.

From Slate ● Jun. 23, 2021

We do not profess to be expert, but in any comparison with other animals we imagine that the hedgehog ought to win on points.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 153, July 4, 1917 by Various