winner

a (real) winner

1. Acceptable or ideal, as of a plan or idea. Sometimes used sarcastically to imply the opposite. The board of directors agrees with me that your proposal sounds like a real winner, so we are prepared to move forward with it right away. A: "Did you hear about Sarah's boneheaded plan?" B: "Yeah, it's a real winner, huh? What on earth is she thinking?"
2. Of a person, very well suited (to someone) in a romantic capacity. Sometimes used sarcastically to imply the opposite. A: "She just got a job with a big financial firm, she writes poetry in her spare time, and she loves anime." B: "Wow, dude, she sounds like a winner! You must be elated!" A: "Jenny's new boyfriend is an ex-con and apparently has a pretty bad drinking problem." B: "Huh. Sounds like a real winner, then."
See also: winner

be onto a winner

To be progressing in a way that is likely to succeed. I think we're onto a winner with this new environmental initiative—the whole company has really embraced it. After all of those failed experiments, our team is finally onto a winner now.
See also: winner

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner!

cliché A humorous exclamation said when someone answers or guesses something correctly or is considered the best in some competition. Often used sarcastically. A: "OK, first person to tell me what X equals in this equation gets five points of extra credit." B: "Oh, I know, it's 41!" A: "Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner!" A: "We're trying to think of the worst baby names." B: "My cousin George named his baby 'Seven.'" A: "Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner! Gosh, what on earth were they thinking?"
See also: have, we

pick a winner

To choose someone or something that is very likely to prove beneficial, suitable, or successful. The reason why third party candidates don't usually get a lot of traction is because people want to pick a winner—not just make some kind of statement. Samantha is so warm and intelligent, and it's clear that she cares about you a lot. You really picked a winner, Joe. The design is clean and practical, but still elegant and appealing—I think we picked a winner!
See also: pick, winner

sound like a (real) winner

1. Of a plan or idea, to seem acceptable or ideal. Sometimes used sarcastically to imply the opposite. The board of directors agrees with me that your proposal sounds like a real winner, so we are prepared to move forward with it right away. A: "Did you hear about Sarah's boneheaded plan?" B: "Yeah, it sounds like a real winner, huh? What on earth is she thinking?"
2. Of a person, to seem very well suited (to someone) in a romantic capacity. Sometimes used sarcastically to imply the opposite. A: "She just got a job with a big financial firm, she writes poetry in her spare time, and she loves anime." B: "Wow, dude, she sounds like a winner! You must be elated!" A: "Jenny's new boyfriend is an ex-con and apparently has a pretty bad drinking problem." B: "Huh. Sounds like a real winner, then."
See also: like, sound, winner

winner take all

A competition in which the victor is granted all possible benefits, accolades, prizes, etc. Hyphenated if used before a noun as a modifier. How about one last round of darts, winner take all? My sister and I used to bet our Halloween candy on our report card grades, winner take all. The tournament concludes with a winner-take-all round between the four finalists.
See also: all, take, winner

winner takes all

A competition in which the victor is granted all possible prizes. I know we've been playing darts all night, but this will be the last round, winner takes all! My sister and I used to bet our Halloween candy on our report card grades, winner takes all.
See also: all, take, winner

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

slang An exclamation of joy, excitement, and pride upon achieving victory, especially in the context of video games or gambling. Boom! And with that final headshot, I am officially the winner of the match. Winner, winner, chicken dinner! C'mon, c'mon, I need to roll an eight… Yes! Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
See also: chicken
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

winner take all

a situation where the one who defeats others takes all the spoils of the conflict. The contest was a case of winner take all. There was no second place or runner-up.
See also: all, take, winner
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

pick a ˈwinner


1 choose a horse, etc. that you think is most likely to win a race
2 (informal) make a very good choice: Good choice, George. I think you’ve picked a winner there!
See also: pick, winner

be onto a ˈwinner

(informal) be doing something, especially selling something, that is likely to be successful: He is the sole importer of this product, and he certainly thinks he’s onto a winner.
See also: winner
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

Sounds like a winner!

sent. It sounds acceptable. Sounds like a winner! Let’s do it!
See also: like, Sound

winner

n. an excellent person or thing. This one is a real winner.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • a (real) winner
  • take (something) under consideration
  • take under advisement
  • advisement
  • take (something) under advisement
  • this just in
  • Who would have thought it?
  • (I) would if I could
  • crying towel
  • towel
References in periodicals archive
At Ruiru: May Monthky Mug May Mug winner: Paul Mburu 66 nett, Men winner: John M Mwangi, 67 nett, Anthony Kamau 67, Lady winner: Irene Wamoro 72, Ruth G Kamau 73, Veronica Mwaura 73, Nines Mwaura Kairu 31, E N ndungu 33 nett, Guest winner: James Kusewa 76 nett.
WINNER: Field Residences Buildings 5 and 6 by SM Development Corporation
BON ACCORD LADIES PAIRS - WINNERS: Lorraine Hyde/ Caroline Shearer (Kings Bar B), R/up Angela Thomson / Sharon Leslie (Highway/ Kings Bar B) DIVISION 3 SINGLES - WINNER: Sheila Patrick (Dee Swimming Club), R/up Andrea Waller (524 Bar).
Top Dance/Electronic Album:The Chainsmokers "Sick Boy" -- WINNER
Constituency five: Khalid Buonq (winner - 4,917 votes)
PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan, who personally turned over the cheque amounting to P472 million net of taxes, advised the winner to spend the money wisely and be careful of his safety and security.
The convenience store chain announced three winners of the NT$10 million special prize and two winners of the NT$2 million grand prize that had the lucky number 91874254.
The concluding day of group action is Thursday, 10 when Group four plays out with Murphy, winner of the World Grand Prix taking on the China Championship winner followed by China Open and European Masters victor Judd Trump against Indian Open champion Anthony McGill.
Winners don't whine when things don't go their way.
Winner: 24th MI Bn, 66th MI Bde, Wiesbaden, Germany (INSCOM)
- Winner of KFIP in the branch of Islamic Studies is Professor Abdulwahab bin Ibrahim Abu Suleiman (Saudi national).
Six winners had contested the Tingle Creek, in which they finished U21214.
Winner: Bloomberg Government (BGOV), Bloomberg Government
As for the Classical Poetry competition , the first winner will get RO.
Winner: Amelia (Amy) Barnett, PEO Missiles and Space, U.S.