win ugly

win ugly

To achieve victory after putting in a lot of effort and unglamorous technique and enduring many hardships or overcoming many obstacles. (As opposed to winning with ease, grace, or style.) After falling behind by 12 points early on, the heavyweight grappler had to claw his way back to a last-second victory. "I won ugly, but a win is a win," he said after the match.
See also: ugly, win
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

win ugly

gain victory through solid application and hard work rather than elegantly and with apparent effortlessness.
The phrase gained popularity as the title of the book Winning Ugly: Mental Warfare in Tennis ( 1993 ) by the Australian tennis coach Brad Gilbert and Steve Jamison .
2005 Croydon Guardian Manager Bob Langford said he was happy to ‘win ugly’ to ensure Ryman Division One safety.
See also: ugly, win
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • (one's) work is cut out for (one)
  • one's work is cut out for one
  • clear sailing
  • carry on somehow
  • press onward
  • trials and tribulations
  • necessity is the mother of invention
  • red pill
  • have the constitution of an ox
  • take (some) heat
References in periodicals archive
Docherty wants Town to win ugly GREG DOCHERTY has revealed his frustration at Shrewsbury Town's habit of 'shooting themselves in the foot' that has derailed their season.
And Potter said: "If you do win ugly, then fine, but we have to stay true to how we want to play.
When asked if he'd take seeing his side win ugly at present, Potter responded: "No because I think you have to have your way of playing.
Butcher said: "We will have to win ugly at times if we want to win the league of course.
Oran Kearney admits he is happy to win ugly for the rest of the season if it keeps St Mirren in the top flight.
CARMARTHEN QUINS........7 ABERAVON...........................9 JASON Hyatt was delighted to see his Aberavon side "win ugly" as they tamed both the elements and the home side at Carmarthen Park.
Danny Lennon was happy to see the Bully Wee win ugly - as they still look good for promotion.
Harris added: "Good teams win ugly, but the issue for us is we've been winning ugly too much.
Coleman wants his team to play good, attacking, football but knows there are times when they will have to 'win ugly' - and that means remaining defensively sound and grinding out results at times.
The England game we learned from our mistakes of not passing the ball, but when we've had to win ugly we've won ugly, and when we've had to play football we've played football."
CHELSEA have remembered how to win ugly - now back them to rediscover some razzle dazzle.
All the best teams win ugly and that's a great habit to have.
PAUL Lambert insists Villa will not be relegated after calling on his side to 'win ugly' in the '13 cup finals' that will now define their season.
I've played in sides that have played good football, but I've also played in sides that knew how to win, and win ugly.
CONWY Borough manager Darren Moss was satisfied to win ugly against Porthmadog on Tuesday night.