secure a win

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secure a win" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in contexts related to achieving victory or success, often in sports, competitions, or strategic situations. Example: "The team worked hard all season to secure a win in the championship game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Varley said: 'We weren't prepared to secure a win at any price.

The Guardian - Business

It gave Leicester just enough time to secure a win that stunned even their director of rugby, Richard Cockerill.

The Guardian - Sport

In the process, Napravnik became only the second female jockey to secure a win in the world championships of racing.

The Guardian - Sport

Christen had a chance to secure a win for UConn with 2 minutes 56 seconds left, but Deon Miller blocked his 45-yard field-goal attempt.

The New York Times - Sports

TWINS 7, TIGERS 6 Chris Herrmann's second run-scoring double of the game broke an eighth-inning tie and helped visiting Minnesota secure a win over Detroit.

The New York Times - Sports

Goals in each half from Joel Ward and Wilfried Zaha were enough to secure a win against out-of-form opposition, whose only response came from Oriol Romeu.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Justin Purll and Mjekevu added further scores to secure a winning bonus point for the hosts before Cornell du Preez's late consolation try.

BBC

After Australia lost three early wickets in the second innings, Brown scored 73 to help secure a winning lead.

Wikipedia

In 2005 Tabaré Vázquez became Uruguay's first leftist president, having secured a win in the 2004 presidential election.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Despite this virtual boycott, the ANC secured a win in the area, but the complaint will have registered.

The Guardian

Harvey and Wheeler, who each secured a win during the Mets' doubleheader sweep of the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, will remain a walking advertisement for the team's future.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal tone, use "secure a win" in strategic reports, business proposals, or official announcements to convey a sense of accomplishment and planned success.

Common error

Avoid using "secure a win" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "win" or "get a win" to maintain a natural and appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secure a win" functions primarily as a verb phrase followed by a noun phrase, indicating the action of achieving or ensuring a victory. Ludwig confirms the expression is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sport

28%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "secure a win" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe achieving a victory or ensuring success. As Ludwig confirms, it is versatile and appears frequently in various contexts, especially in news and media reporting on sports and political events. While "secure a win" is generally appropriate for neutral and formal writing, it's best to opt for simpler alternatives in casual contexts. Related phrases like "clinch a victory" or "obtain a victory" can offer subtle variations in meaning, adding depth to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clinch a victory

Uses a different verb ("clinch") to convey the idea of definitively achieving a win.

obtain a victory

Replaces "secure" with "obtain", focusing on the act of gaining the win.

achieve a triumph

Substitutes "win" with "triumph", suggesting a more significant victory.

ensure a win

Focuses on making the win certain rather than just achieving it.

guarantee a victory

Similar to "ensure a win", but implies a stronger level of certainty.

lock in a win

An informal expression indicating a firm hold on a win.

seal the victory

Emphasizes the finality of achieving the win.

capture the win

Presents the win as something that is seized or taken.

attain a victory

A more formal way of saying "achieve a win".

chalk up a win

An idiomatic expression meaning to record or achieve a win.

FAQs

How can I use "secure a win" in a sentence?

You can use "secure a win" to describe the act of achieving a victory or ensuring success in a competition, election, or any situation where there is a desired outcome. For example, "The team worked hard to secure a win in the championship game."

What can I say instead of "secure a win"?

You can use alternatives like "clinch a victory", "obtain a victory", or "achieve a triumph" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "secure a win" or "secure the win"?

"Secure a win" is generally used when referring to achieving a single, unspecified victory. "Secure the win" is used when referring to a specific victory that has already been mentioned or is otherwise understood in context.

What's the difference between "secure a win" and "ensure a win"?

"Secure a win" refers to the act of achieving a victory, whereas "ensure a win" focuses on making the victory certain or guaranteed. "Secure" highlights the achievement itself, while "ensure" emphasizes the effort to prevent failure.