small win

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small win" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor achievement or success that contributes to a larger goal or objective. Example: "Completing the first draft of my report was a small win that motivated me to keep going."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

That's the only place where Earn gets a small win".

The New Yorker

Every contest concluded at Flightfox is a small win for the species.

The New York Times - Tech

There was, however, a small win for Indians looking for a victory.

The New York Times

With late-night tallies showing Mr. Gingrich beating Mr. Romney by 12 percentage points, it was no small win.

The New York Times

Cameron's victory in Thursday's general election obliterated opposition leader Ed Miliband's hopes of eking out a small win for Labour.

The Guardian

Last week he chalked up a small win and a potential draw, but bigger challenges lie ahead.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Our theory is we need to be focused on small wins," Mr. Auriemma said.

The New York Times

Like a poker player who tries to grind out small wins while avoiding big losses, Boeing preferred to tinker.

The New Yorker

"Small wins help you build support both internally and externally, and they make it easier for people to buy in".

The New Yorker

Each week there were celebrations, small wins as the pounds started to return to Paynter's frame.

The New York Times

Celebrate small wins every day, year round.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "small win", provide context to explain its significance. Even a minor achievement can have a substantial impact when viewed in relation to overarching objectives.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of a "small win". Ensure your description accurately reflects its limited scope and avoids creating unrealistic expectations or overshadowing larger, more critical objectives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small win" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "win". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It identifies a limited achievement or success.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Tech

22%

Huffington Post

14%

Less common in

Wikipedia

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small win" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a minor achievement that contributes to a larger goal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. While primarily used in News & Media, it's versatile enough for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure you provide adequate context to explain the significance of the accomplishment without overstating its importance. Alternatives like "minor victory" or "modest success" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor victory

Emphasizes the competitive aspect of the achievement.

modest success

Highlights the limited scale of the accomplishment.

tiny triumph

Stresses the small but positive nature of the outcome.

slight advantage

Focuses on gaining a small edge over others.

limited achievement

Underscores the constrained scope of the accomplishment.

marginal gain

Highlights the small improvement made.

petite accomplishment

Uses a more sophisticated vocabulary to express a small achievement.

token success

Suggests the success is more symbolic than substantial.

minor breakthrough

Implies a slight but significant advancement.

incremental progress

Focuses on the gradual nature of the improvement.

FAQs

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

You can use "small win" to describe a minor achievement that contributes to a larger goal. For example, "Completing the first phase of the project was a "small win" that motivated the team."

What are some alternatives to saying "small win"?

You can use alternatives like "minor victory", "modest success", or "tiny triumph" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "small win" formal or informal?

"Small win" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, alternatives like "modest success" might be preferable.

How can celebrating "small wins" help achieve bigger goals?

Celebrating "small wins" provides positive reinforcement and motivates individuals or teams to continue working towards larger objectives. It helps maintain momentum and builds confidence.