“You cannot win them all”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
The phrase means that it is unrealistic to expect success in every endeavor or situation. Everyone experiences setbacks or losses at some point.
Tone Consoling
Where it comes from
The exact origin of the phrase is unclear, but it likely comes from the world of sports or competitive activities where winning every time is improbable.
Examples
- I know you’re upset about not getting the job, but remember, you cannot win them all.
- After losing the tennis match, she shrugged and said, ‘You cannot win them all,’ and smiled.
Spotted a mistake in this article? Tell us