concede defeat

USAGE SUMMARY

"concede defeat" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to express the act of accepting a loss; for example, "After a long battle, the candidate had to concede defeat and accept the results of the election".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Charlemagne must thus concede defeat.

The Economist

I concede defeat.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Somare refused to concede defeat.

The New York Times

But Jeter would not concede defeat.

The New York Times - Sports

Sometimes you just have to concede defeat.

The New York Times

The opposition cried foul and refused to concede defeat.

The Economist

But the editors still couldn't bring themselves to concede defeat.

The New York Times

Sanders's spiked -- prompting him to all but concede defeat.

The Washington Post

Rudd is expected to appear after 9pm to concede defeat.

The Guardian

Vice President Al Gore did not concede defeat.

The New York Times

Labor's deputy leader, Tanya Plibersek, has refused to concede defeat.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance; while synonyms like "admit defeat" or "acknowledge defeat" might work, "concede defeat" often carries a stronger sense of finality and acceptance of the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "concede defeat" when the situation involves merely postponing or delaying an inevitable loss. "Concede defeat" implies full acceptance of the current outcome, not just a temporary setback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concede defeat" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of acknowledging and accepting loss. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a standard phrase in English used to express the acceptance of an unfavorable result. Examples provided in the search results illustrate its use in various contexts, such as elections and sports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "concede defeat" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase meaning to acknowledge and accept loss. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard expression across various contexts. With a high source quality score, its usage spans primarily news and media, highlighting its formal and neutral tone. While alternatives like "recognize defeat" or "admit defeat" exist, the phrase carries a sense of finality. When using this phrase, ensure the context involves complete acceptance, avoiding situations where defeat is merely delayed. Best practices involve understanding its nuanced usage in formal communications, solidifying its place as a key phrase in discussions of competition and outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognize defeat

Focuses on acknowledging the loss, differing slightly from the explicit act of conceding.

accept defeat

Emphasizes the acceptance of the loss, rather than the declaration of conceding.

admit defeat

Highlights the admission aspect, making it a more personal acknowledgement of losing.

acknowledge defeat

Similar to "admit defeat", but can imply a more formal or public recognition.

cede defeat

This emphasizes giving up or surrendering, highlighting the act of yielding.

yield the game

Implies surrender in a competition or game, differing from more general situations.

surrender the match

Specifically refers to ending a match or competition due to loss.

bow to the inevitable

Suggests accepting an unavoidable outcome, not just a loss in a specific context.

throw in the towel

An idiomatic expression for giving up, often implying resignation after struggle.

wave the white flag

Signals surrender, conveying a sense of giving up resistance.

FAQs

What does "concede defeat" mean?

"Concede defeat" means to acknowledge and accept that you have lost a competition, election, or other contest. It implies a formal recognition of the other party's victory.

When is it appropriate to use "concede defeat"?

It's appropriate to use "concede defeat" in situations where there is a clear winner and loser, and the losing party acknowledges the outcome. This is common in political elections, sports competitions, and business negotiations.

What are some alternatives to "concede defeat"?

You can use alternatives like "recognize defeat", "accept defeat", or "admit defeat" depending on the context.

How does "concede defeat" differ from "refuse to concede"?

"Concede defeat" implies acceptance of a loss, while refusing to concede means actively rejecting the outcome. For example, someone might refuse to concede if they believe there was foul play or irregularities in the competition.