win on points

Idioms

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.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Former featherweight champion Kid Galahad: "I'm going with a John Ryder win on points."

From BBC • May 6, 2023

Each competitor takes turns delivering and receiving until there is a knockout, technical knockout, or a win on points after the final round.

From Washington Times • Nov. 12, 2022

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

Nowadays—whatever may have been the case two generations ago—each side briefly states its claims and tries to win on points.

From By Advice of Counsel by Train, Arthur Cheney

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023