win

win the day: see carry the day atday.

win by a neck: seeneck.

win (or earn) your spurs gain your first distinction or honours. informal

☞ In the Middle Ages a knight who had won his spurs had attained knighthood by performing an act of bravery: a pair of gilt spurs were the distinguishing mark of a knight.

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.

2005Croydon Guardian Manager Bob Langford said he was happy to 'win ugly' to ensure Ryman Division One safety.

you can't win them all (or win some, lose some) said to express consolation or resignation after failure in a contest. informal