win battle
يفوز بمعركة
Use it to celebrate a specific victory while acknowledging that the overall challenge isn't over yet.
En 15 secondes
- Winning one specific struggle within a larger, ongoing conflict.
- Often used to describe progress toward a much bigger goal.
- Implies that the overall journey or 'war' is still continuing.
Signification
Winning a battle means you have achieved a victory in a single struggle or competition, even if the larger conflict is still going on.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Talking about a diet
I managed to skip the dessert tonight; I won the battle against my sugar cravings!
I managed to skip the dessert tonight; I won the battle against my sugar cravings!
A business negotiation
We won the battle on the pricing terms, but we still need to sign the full contract.
We won the battle on the pricing terms, but we still need to sign the full contract.
Parenting struggles
I finally got him to wear his coat! I won the battle, but the bedtime war is coming.
I finally got him to wear his coat! I won the battle, but the bedtime war is coming.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is rooted in ancient military strategy, popularized by historians describing campaigns where tactical wins didn't lead to strategic victory. In modern English, it reflects a 'marathon, not a sprint' mindset, emphasizing persistence over instant total success.
The 'War' Connection
Always remember that if you say you 'won the battle,' people will expect that there is a 'war' (a bigger goal) still happening.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this for every tiny thing, like finding a parking spot, it can sound a bit dramatic or sarcastic.
En 15 secondes
- Winning one specific struggle within a larger, ongoing conflict.
- Often used to describe progress toward a much bigger goal.
- Implies that the overall journey or 'war' is still continuing.
What It Means
To win a battle means you succeeded in one specific fight. This doesn't mean you have won the whole thing yet. It is about a single victory in a series of events. Think of it like winning one round in a video game. You feel great, but the boss level is still waiting for you.
How To Use It
You use this when you overcome a specific hurdle. It often implies that more challenges are coming. You can use it for work, sports, or even personal habits. If you finally woke up at 6 AM today, you won the battle against your alarm clock. It’s perfect for celebrating small wins that lead to big goals.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to sound determined. It works well in business meetings when a deal closes. It’s great for sports when your team wins a tough game. You can also use it when talking about health or personal growth. It shows you are making progress. If you convinced your picky toddler to eat broccoli, you definitely won a battle.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for things that are easy or final. If you just bought a coffee, you didn't win a battle. It requires some effort or resistance. Also, avoid it if the entire situation is over. In that case, you won the war. Using it for a final victory might make people think there is more trouble coming.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from military history. In the past, wars were made of many separate battles. You could win many battles but still lose the whole war. In Western culture, we use this to stay humble. It reminds us to stay focused on the big picture. It’s a very common metaphor in American and British business culture.
Common Variations
You will often hear people say, "Win the battle, but lose the war." This is a warning. It means you focused too much on a small victory and missed the big goal. Another variation is pick your battles. This means you should only fight for things that really matter. Don't waste energy on small, unimportant arguments.
Notes d'usage
This is a versatile, neutral phrase. It works best when describing progress in a multi-step process. Avoid using it for trivial tasks to prevent sounding overly dramatic.
The 'War' Connection
Always remember that if you say you 'won the battle,' people will expect that there is a 'war' (a bigger goal) still happening.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this for every tiny thing, like finding a parking spot, it can sound a bit dramatic or sarcastic.
The Pyrrhic Victory
In English culture, winning a battle at too high a cost is called a 'Pyrrhic victory.' It's like winning but losing so much that it feels like a defeat.
Exemples
6I managed to skip the dessert tonight; I won the battle against my sugar cravings!
I managed to skip the dessert tonight; I won the battle against my sugar cravings!
Shows a personal struggle with habits.
We won the battle on the pricing terms, but we still need to sign the full contract.
We won the battle on the pricing terms, but we still need to sign the full contract.
Professional context regarding a specific part of a deal.
I finally got him to wear his coat! I won the battle, but the bedtime war is coming.
I finally got him to wear his coat! I won the battle, but the bedtime war is coming.
Humorous take on daily parenting challenges.
Passed the first interview! Won the battle, now for the second round.
Passed the first interview! Won the battle, now for the second round.
Casual way to share good news about progress.
You won the battle on the field today, but the championship is still weeks away.
You won the battle on the field today, but the championship is still weeks away.
Encouraging but focused on the long-term goal.
The surgery was successful; we won this battle, and now the recovery begins.
The surgery was successful; we won this battle, and now the recovery begins.
Serious and emotional context about health.
Teste-toi
Choose the best word to complete the phrase in a business context.
We managed to ___ the battle for the new office space, but the move will be hard.
In English, we 'win' battles or wars; we don't 'do' or 'make' them.
Complete the common idiom used to warn someone about the big picture.
He won the battle, but he lost the ___.
The standard idiom is 'win the battle, lose the war,' referring to a short-term gain that causes a long-term loss.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Win the Battle'
Used with friends about small daily wins.
I won the battle with my alarm clock!
Standard use in most conversations.
We won the battle for the client's attention.
Used in literature or serious speeches.
The diplomat won the battle for the treaty.
When to say 'Win the Battle'
Office Politics
Getting your project approved.
Personal Habits
Going to the gym when tired.
Parenting
Getting a kid to eat vegetables.
Legal/Court
Winning a small motion in court.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is very common. You might say We won the battle in the midfield to describe a specific part of a soccer game.
Both are correct. Use win the battle when referring to a specific, known struggle, and win a battle for a more general victory.
No, that is the key. It usually means only one part of the problem is solved, like saying I won the battle against the first chapter of my book.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or with your best friend without it feeling out of place.
The opposite is losing the battle. It means you failed at one specific attempt, but you might still win the overall 'war'.
Yes, it can be literal. However, in modern English, it is used metaphorically 90% of the time for non-physical challenges.
It describes a situation where you get what you want now, but it ruins your chances of succeeding in the long run.
Be careful! Saying you won the battle in an argument with a partner can sound a bit aggressive or competitive.
Yes, adding 'my' makes it more personal. For example, I won my battle with the flu means you finally feel better.
A common mistake is using it for things that aren't difficult. Don't say I won the battle of buying bread unless the store was incredibly crowded!
Expressions liées
Win the war
To achieve the final, ultimate victory in a long struggle.
Pick your battles
To choose which conflicts are worth your time and energy.
Uphill battle
A very difficult struggle where the odds are against you.
Half the battle
A significant part of the work needed to achieve a goal.
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