grand slam

grand slam

1. In the card game bridge, the winning of all thirteen tricks on one deal of the game. I've been playing bridge for years, but I've still never been able to make a grand slam.
2. In baseball, a homerun that is achieved when all three bases have runners on them. It looked like the home team was in for a sure loss, but a grand slam at the last minute edged them ahead of their opponents.
3. (sometimes capitalized) In sports, the winning of all major championships or tournaments in a single year, especially in tennis or golf. The young player shocked the tennis world by winning a Grand Slam in her first year at the professional level.
4. By extension, any total, sweeping victory or success. With the Ohio votes in her favor, it looks like the new president has managed a grand slam.
See also: grand, slam
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

grand slam

A sweeping success or total victory, as in This presentation gave us a grand slam-every buyer placed an order. This term originated in the early 1800s in the card game of whist (forerunner of contract bridge), where it refers to the taking of all thirteen tricks. It later was extended to bridge and various sports, where it has different meanings: in baseball, a home run hit with runners on all the bases, resulting in four runs for the team; in tennis, winning all four national championships in a single calendar year; in golf, winning all four major championships. In the 1990s the term was used for four related proposals presented on a ballot at once.
See also: grand, slam
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • a shell game
  • shell game
  • monkey in the middle
  • long game
  • in the game
  • home game
  • choose up
  • choose up sides
  • fair play
  • fair play (to you)
References in periodicals archive
The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Tokyo will include a competition category for the Para-jiu-jitsu.
Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Tokyo to open Sunday
San Miguel is actually celebrating the 30th anniversary of its 1989 Grand Slam behind a team composed of four-time MVP Ramon Fernandez, Samboy Lim, Hector Calma, former MVP Ricky Brown and current team assistant coach Ato Agustin, among others.
No grand slam talk this time for all-Filipino champions
In the event of Six Nations Grand Slam glory, it's believed the Wales squad would share a win bonus in excess of [pounds sterling]1m on top of their usual earnings.
How much money Wales get after winning the Six Nations Grand Slam; There are lots of reasons to celebrate!
"Angelique Kerber is often overlooked as one of the best players on the WTA Tour, although her record in Grand Slams in particular over the past few years is second to none," said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free.
Kerber hopes to end her semi-final jinx in Dubai this year
Iacutem playing a final of Grand Slam for the record seventh title here.
'The matches you live for': Greatest rivals Djokovic, Nadal square off
"He started winning Grand Slams like they were regular tournaments year after year," Djokovic (https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1032623/Roger-Federer-Rafael-Nadal-Novak-Djokovic-ATP-world-rankings) recently said .
Djokovic: Federer 'Enjoys' Grand Slam Record Being Challenged
Playing on the same court where Sampras claimed his 14th and final Grand Slam crown, Djokovic has endured more disappointment than joy on Arthur Ashe, winning three titles from eight finals.
Djokovic rules: Serb drops just two sets on way to title as he leaves Del Potro in tears
The 36-year-old, who had defeated Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova 6-3, 6-0 in their semi-final clash, stands a golden chance to equal Australian legend Margaret Court's haul of 24 Grand Slam titles.
US Open: Serena eyes 24th Grand Slam title
The last time that San Miguel Beermen won the grand slam was in 1989 under Head Coach Norman Black.
RSA to Beermen: Get Grand Slam
"Serena Williams was pregnant when she won her 23rd grand slam tournament at the Australian Open.
Tennis great Serena Williams appears to reveal pregnancy
Kerber won her first Grand Slam title after saving a match point in the first round.
SERENA WILLIAMS said she was [...]
BOOKMAKERS are split over Andy Murray's chance of adding to his two Grand Slam titles in 2016, writes Adrian Humphries.
Split over Brit
Should she win the US Open, it will make her the Calendar Grand Slam winner.
Spotlight On Serena Williams
If she makes the punters happy by doing so she will, for the second time in her career, hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time -- and will stand halfway to becoming just the fourth woman to win all four in the same year.
French Open: Age no barrier for supreme Serena
Named the ADAM Grand Slam, the range-topper was previewed at both the Geneva and Frankfurt motor shows and features sharp design and a 1.4-litre turbo powertrain.
Chic ADAM completes a Grand Slam