Everybody like to win whether it’s a football game or a game of cards. You get an adrenalin rush (good feeling) and it lasts a long time. There are many ways of how to talk about winning in English, to express those emotions and to congratulate other winners.
How to Talk about Winning in English
For example, you can say:
I won the match yesterday.
I will win tomorrow.
I am winning at the moment.
BUT you cannot say:
I won the other team.
We will win the other team tomorrow.
We are winning the other team today.
Instead you can say:
I beat the other guy.
We will beat that team tomorrow.
We are beating them at the moment.
Example: My team were playing a big game and at half time (interval) we were winning 2-0. However, in the second half we lost our momentum and the other team scored 3 goals. We were beaten 2-3.
Difference between BEAT and WIN - Video Lesson
Here are some other words and phrases to talk about winning in English:
COME OUT ON TOP
to be victorious
Example: Michael was boxing a much bigger kid. He was taller and heavier.He eventually came out on top and won the fight.
GET THE UPPER HAND
to get an advantage
Example: It was a struggle for both competitors but the guy from Turkey eventually got the upper hand and won the fight.
TO SEAL VICTORY
to make a victory inevitable (certain)
Example: It was a very even contest of rugby. Both teams were giving it everything (100% effort). However, the team in Red sealed victory with a last minute goal.
KNOCKOUT PUNCH
This also has a literal meaning as in a boxing match where one boxer knocks out his opponent and wins the fight or we can use it metaphorically.
Example: Both teams were trying to win the game in normal time to avoid extra time. United in black shirts provided the knock out punch deep into injury time when they scored a penalty after a handball incident inside the penalty area.
Spectators are always more anxious than the players or competitors. They are always relieved when their team is number one stay top of the league and remain ahead of the posse (one step ahead of someone or something)!
Phrases and words like WELL DONE or CONGRATS (congratulations) are common expressions used for the victors (winners) or a US term YOU’RE THE MAN is heard at lots of sports events like golf and tennis.
Spare a thought (think for a little while) about the unfortunate loser.
For every winner there is a loser or runner up and they are soon forgotten.
HARD LUCK or BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME or TOUGH are all the loser hears.
Remember that great song by Queen “We are the Champions, We are the Champions…”
English Vocabulary about Winning - Infographic
Enjoyed this infographic? Here's what you can do next:
Improve Your English VIP Style
More Information
For more information on English Expressions, English Phrasal Verbs and Grammar Rules, check out the following links:
English Vocabulary about Football
Free resources are always available at British Council Learning English.
You will love these English lessons
Essential Phrases for Small Talk in English
Small talk is key for improving your English and sounding more fluent. In this post, we cover simple small talk phrases and tips to help you confidently join conversations. By asking open questions, you can keep the conversation flowing naturally without the pressure of talking for too long. Whether you struggle with small talk or want to speak English more confidently, these phrases will help you sound more like a native speaker and improve your everyday conversations.
Perfect for non-native speakers, this guide will teach you how to start and continue small talk with ease.
Expressions and Idioms with TAKE
Here you will learn English expressions and idioms with TAKE. Advanced English expressions will help you sound like a native
English words and phrases connected to Armistice Day
The two world wars WW1 and WW 11 were very significant events in our history and both are celebrated in different