Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
someone has won the battle but lost the war
idiomatic expression
/ˈsʌmˌwoʊn hæz wʌn ðə ˈbætəl bʌt lɔst ðə wɔr/
Definition
A phrase used to describe a situation where someone may achieve a small victory but ultimately faces a larger defeat or loses the overall struggle.
Examples
- She won the argument during the meeting, but in the end, she lost the support of her colleagues.
- They defeated the opposition in the early rounds of the election, but ultimately, they lost the presidency.
Meaning
This expression highlights that while an individual or group might gain a temporary advantage, it does not lead to long-term success or victory in a broader context.
Synonyms
- a small victory
- winning a battle but losing the war
- short-term gain
