Phrase guide

lose the battle, but win the war

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To fail to achieve intermediate steps or goals, but ultimately fulfill the broader objective.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • She might have done better than me in school, but I ultimately landed the higher-paying job. I lost the battle, but won the war.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: win the battle, but lose the war

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.