win on points

To succeed or achieve victory through a series of technicalities or minor gains, rather than true dominance or skill. A noun or pronoun can be used between "win" and "on points" to specify what was won. Everyone seems pretty evenly split on which candidate won the debate, though most outlets agree that Senator Thompson won on points due to having clearer, more focused answers. The defense, though clearly having the weaker position overall, won the case on points because several key pieces of evidence were thrown out by the judge.

Succeed but barely, especially by a technicality. For example, Both sides were forceful in that argument about the embargo, but I think the senator won on points . This term comes from boxing, where in the absence of a knockout the winner is decided on the basis of points awarded for each round. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1900s.