winner take all

American  

[win-er teyk awl] / ˈwɪn ər ˈteɪk ˈɔl /

Sometimes winner-take-all also winner takes all

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of winner take all

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

They are playing for $9 million next week, winner take all.

From Golf Digest • Nov. 15, 2018

“There’s ample evidence to demonstrate that Silicon Valley’s model is a winner take all or winner take most or a monopoly, duopoly structure,” Landgraf said.

From Salon • Aug. 18, 2017

Griffith proposed a simple solution for resolving a dreadful war like the one that Europe had recently endured: Choose one combatant from each side and let them duke it out, winner take all.

From Time • Jul. 10, 2013

Both teams playing to go to the Rose Bowl, winner take all.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 22, 2012

It was like wrestling Bad Cyril in a one-fall match, winner take all.

From Highways in Hiding by Smith, George Oliver