watershed win

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "watershed win" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant victory or turning point in a situation, often in a competitive context. Example: "The team's victory in the championship game was a watershed win that changed the course of their season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But Goodenbour hesitated to call it a watershed win.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's how much the disgraced Virginia governor owes his lawyers after a watershed Supreme Court win.

HuffPost

Now, with two master's degrees, a career as a management analyst for the city of Alexandria, and a watershed election win under her belt, Guzman, 44, is about to make her debut on the national stage.

Huffington Post

Jayati Ghosh, another respected leftwing economist and signatory to the letter said "corporate India has decided they want this man" to win a "watershed election".

The Guardian

Even by its own turbulent standards, Georgia looks to be entering a prolonged period of political instability following watershed parliamentary elections won by the opposition Georgian Dream coalition – the first time since independence in 1991 that power has been transferred through an election rather than a revolution.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said it was a "special year" coming 10 years after Wales' 2005 Grand Slam. "That tournament win marked a watershed moment for Welsh rugby and sparked a resurgence in form which led to many fantastic wins for Wales," he said.

BBC

Their win in court was a watershed moment for civil rights.

The Guardian - Books

It was hard, then, not to believe that this emphatic 4-1 win represented something of a watershed.

The New York Times - Sports

Moreover, if Obama does win, 2008 will be a watershed election in American political history for reasons unrelated to the new presi­dent's skin color.

MIT Technology Review

Pele's strike which sealed Brazil's 1-0 quarter-final win over Wales was a watershed moment.

BBC

If DeepMind does win the match, it will be a watershed moment for AI with only one genuine precedent: Deep Blue's victory over Kasparov in 1997.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "watershed win" to describe a victory that significantly alters the course of events, not just any ordinary win. Context is key to effectively conveying the transformative impact.

Common error

Avoid using "watershed win" to describe minor victories. This phrase implies a major turning point; overuse dilutes its impact and can make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "watershed win" functions as a noun phrase, where "watershed" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "win". It describes a particular type of victory: one that marks a significant turning point, as suggested by Ludwig AI and confirmed by the example in the Los Angeles Times.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "watershed win" is a phrase used to describe a victory that marks a significant turning point. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct, although its occurrence is relatively rare. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase communicates the transformative impact of a particular victory, setting it apart from ordinary successes. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, be mindful of overuse to maintain its intended emphasis on pivotal moments. Alternatives such as "pivotal victory" or "game-changing win" can provide variety while conveying similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turning-point victory

Directly states that the win marks a significant change of direction.

pivotal victory

Focuses on the importance of the victory as a turning point.

game-changing win

Emphasizes the transformative impact of the win.

momentous win

Emphasizes the great importance or significance of the victory.

transformative victory

Highlights the win's capacity to bring about change.

significant win

Highlights the win as meaningful and important.

landmark triumph

Stresses the historical significance of the win.

decisive victory

Emphasizes the clear and conclusive nature of the win.

critical success

Highlights the importance and positive outcome of the achievement.

groundbreaking triumph

Suggests the win establishes a new precedent.

FAQs

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

Use "watershed win" to describe a victory or success that marks a significant turning point or a new direction. For example, "The team's championship victory was a "watershed win", propelling them to national recognition."

What is a good alternative to "watershed win"?

Alternatives include "pivotal victory", "game-changing win", or "transformative victory". These options also emphasize the significance of the victory.

Is "watershed win" formal or informal?

"Watershed win" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more frequently used in news and media to describe significant events.

What makes a "watershed win" different from a regular win?

A "watershed win" signifies a turning point, implying that the victory will have lasting effects and alter the course of future events, unlike a regular win, which may be just another achievement.