a narrow victory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a narrow victory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone wins by a small margin, often in the context of elections, competitions, or contests. Example: "The candidate secured a narrow victory, winning by just a few hundred votes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

IT WAS a narrow victory.

The Economist

A narrow victory.

Harvard University

Even a narrow victory can create overconfidence.

The New York Times

are declaring a narrow victory.

The New York Times

That handed a narrow victory to Ms. McLaughlin.

The New York Times

Exit polls gave Mr Geoana a narrow victory.

The Economist

Against such opposition, Weinstein's ruling is a narrow victory.

The Washington Post

Their linebackers will carry them to a narrow victory.

The New York Times

My original prediction was a narrow victory for Carlsen.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet Ms. Valdez still won a narrow victory.

The New York Times

After a narrow victory, Mario appointed Andrew to oversee his transition in Albany.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "a narrow victory" with details that illustrate how close the contest was. For example, mention the specific vote count or the final score that determined the outcome. This adds impact and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a narrow victory" when the win was actually quite comfortable. Misusing the phrase diminishes its impact and can mislead your audience. Instead, use more accurate descriptions such as "a decisive win" or "a comfortable victory."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a narrow victory" functions as a noun phrase that describes the manner of winning. It indicates that the victory was achieved by a small margin. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a narrow victory" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a win achieved by a small margin. Ludwig AI confirms it is usable in many contexts. It is frequently found in news and media sources. When using this phrase, ensure the context accurately reflects the closeness of the win. Alternatives like ""a close win"" or ""a slim victory"" can be used to add subtle nuances. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid overstating the significance of the victory and misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a close win

Emphasizes the closeness of the victory, focusing on the minimal difference in the outcome.

a marginal victory

Indicates the victory was obtained by a very small degree.

a slim margin of victory

Highlights the small numerical difference that secured the win.

a tight victory

Focuses on how closely contested and difficult the victory was.

a hard-fought victory

Stresses the effort and struggle involved in achieving the win.

a hair's breadth victory

Emphasizes how extremely close the victory was, almost lost.

an edge-of-the-seat win

Highlights the excitement and suspense associated with a close contest.

a squeaked-out win

Implies that the victory was barely achieved and perhaps somewhat unexpected.

a near-run thing

An idiomatic way of saying the victory was nearly a defeat.

a hard-won battle

Like hard-fought victory, focuses on how much work was necessary to achieve it, while battle evokes a more conflictual context.

FAQs

How can I use "a narrow victory" in a sentence?

You can use "a narrow victory" to describe situations where the win was achieved by a small margin. For instance, "The candidate secured "a narrow victory" in the election, winning by just a few hundred votes".

What are some alternatives to saying "a narrow victory"?

Alternatives include "a close win", "a slim victory", or "a tight victory". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to describe something as "a narrow victory"?

Describing something as "a narrow victory" means that the win was achieved by a small margin, suggesting a closely contested situation where the outcome could have easily gone the other way.

Is it appropriate to use "a narrow victory" in formal writing?

Yes, "a narrow victory" is appropriate for formal writing, including news reports, academic papers, and business documents. It's a neutral and widely understood expression.