winner take all

[ win-er teyk awl ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of winner take all¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The other change made would make it easier for states to hold winner-take-all primaries.

From The Daily Beast

The audience laughed at that, so people missed the rest: "… in a winner-take-all game of beer pong."

From The Daily Beast

Republicans are suggesting that states switch from winner-take-all to a district-by-district allocation of electoral votes.

From The Daily Beast

Obama also vanquished prejudice, winner-take-all economics, and attacks on the safety net.

From The Daily Beast

Delaware, with its small electorate and winner-take-all prize, is his remaining best chance to get a third state behind him.

From The Daily Beast