secure the trophy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secure the trophy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of winning or obtaining a trophy, often in a competitive context such as sports or contests. Example: "The team worked hard all season to secure the trophy at the championship game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

They still need 4 ½ points on Sunday to secure the trophy.

The New York Times - Sports

However, his efforts were not enough to secure the trophy for Toulon against Top 14 rivals.

The Guardian - Sport

It took them a month to wind their way through Canada in the Women's World Cup and essentially 16 minutes to secure the trophy in the final.

The Guardian - Sport

For admirers of the Dutch philosophy, it was a sadness that their complacency allowed a resolute German side to recover and secure the trophy.

The Guardian - Sport

If Real Madrid fail to win on Wednesday Barca will secure the trophy, meaning Vilanova could miss the celebrations.

BBC

Tommy Wright insists just reaching the Scottish Cup final is not enough for St Johnstone as they attempt to secure the trophy for the first time.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Barça and Real Madrid last met in the final in 2011, when a Cristiano Ronaldo header in extra-time secured the trophy for the Madrid club.

The Guardian - Sport

Last season the German champions secured the trophy with a record seven games to spare.

BBC

Van der Sar, whose save from Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka in Moscow in 2008 secured the trophy for the third time for United, knows the contrasting emotions that might face him when brings the curtain down on silver-laden career.

BBC

Liverpool now enjoy scant margin for error at home or abroad, where the aim now is to secure the Europa League trophy.

The Guardian - Sport

Mongongu scored the last of DR Congo's four successful penalties to secure the third-place trophy for his team.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "secure the trophy" when you want to emphasize the effort and strategy involved in winning, not just the final act of winning itself.

Common error

Avoid using "secure the trophy" in very casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or dramatic in everyday situations; consider using simpler alternatives like "win" or "get" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secure the trophy" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of winning or guaranteeing possession of a trophy, typically in a competitive context, according to Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "secure the trophy" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that signifies winning or ensuring possession of a trophy, often in a competitive setting. According to Ludwig's analysis, it's most commonly found in News & Media and has a neutral register, making it suitable for objective reporting. While it effectively conveys the achievement of victory, it's advisable to avoid overusing it in informal contexts where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. It has many alternatives, such as "win the title", "take home the prize", etc.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

win the title

Focuses on winning a specific title, like a championship.

clinch the victory

Emphasizes the final act of winning and solidifying the victory.

capture the crown

Uses a metaphorical term for winning, suggesting prestige.

take home the prize

Highlights the act of physically obtaining the prize.

earn the championship

Stresses the effort and merit involved in winning.

attain the championship

Formal way to express the meaning of winning the championship.

lay claim to the trophy

Highlights the action of claiming the ownership of the trophy.

seize the cup

Focuses on taking possession of the cup.

pocket the reward

Indicates obtaining the reward associated with winning.

ensure trophy possession

Highlights the act of ensuring the trophy belongs to you.

FAQs

What does it mean to "secure the trophy"?

To "secure the trophy" means to win or ensure that you obtain the trophy, often through strategic effort and competition.

What can I say instead of "secure the trophy"?

You can use alternatives like "win the title", "clinch the victory", or "take home the prize" depending on the context.

Is "secure the trophy" formal or informal?

"Secure the trophy" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression, suitable for news reports, sports commentary, and official announcements.

How do you use "secure the trophy" in a sentence?

Example: "The team worked hard all season to "secure the trophy" at the championship game".