win someone over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "win someone over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of persuading or gaining someone's favor or support. Example: "After several meetings, she was finally able to win him over to her side of the argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He illustrated his point by making a comparison with the Holocaust, which is almost never a good idea when you're trying to win someone over to your side: It all started when people were devalued, when people were deemed 'less than someone else.

BBC

Trying to win someone over?

Huffington Post

The next time you need to win someone over to your way of thinking, try nodding your head as you speak.

Huffington Post

She continued: "I had two typical types of relationships: one where I was constantly chasing and trying to win someone over, and one where I was put off by the person's capacity for the relationship ― and those relationships were very short-lived".

Huffington Post

Appreciating the other group's point of view, [ 23] and relating to their needs, [ 25] is another strategy calculated to help win someone over.

BMC Health Services Research

Trying to change who you are to win someone over is a recipe for disaster.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Someone will win; someone will lose.

The New Yorker

For someone to win, someone else has to lose.

The New York Times

Someone wins, someone loses.

The New York Times - Sports

Someone wins, someone loses, money changes hands.

The New York Times

Someone wins, someone doesn't.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When trying to "win someone over", consider their perspective and tailor your approach to their values and interests. Authenticity is key; being genuine is more effective than manipulation.

Common error

Avoid using "win someone over" in situations where genuine connection and understanding are more important than persuasion. For instance, in personal relationships, focusing solely on 'winning someone over' can undermine trust and authenticity.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "win someone over" functions as a dynamic verb, indicating an action of persuading or gaining favor with another person. This aligns with Ludwig's confirmation of its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "win someone over" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase to describe the act of persuading or gaining someone's favor, as confirmed by Ludwig. While its frequency is uncommon, its versatility across various contexts, particularly in news and media, makes it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary. To effectively use this phrase, it is essential to consider the audience and adjust the approach accordingly, prioritizing authenticity over manipulation. Avoiding its misuse in situations that demand genuine connection ensures its appropriate application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persuade someone

Focuses on convincing someone through reasoning or argument, differing from gaining favor through charm or other means.

convince someone

Similar to 'persuade', but can imply a stronger degree of certainty achieved.

gain someone's approval

Emphasizes obtaining consent or positive regard, rather than necessarily changing someone's mind.

get someone on your side

Highlights recruiting someone to support your position or cause.

influence someone

Implies a broader impact on someone's thoughts or actions, not necessarily leading to full agreement.

bring someone around

Focuses on changing someone's opinion or attitude to align with your own.

charm someone

Suggests using attractiveness or pleasantness to gain favor, a specific method of winning someone over.

woo someone

Similar to 'court', suggesting a deliberate and persuasive effort to gain support or affection.

court someone

Implies actively seeking someone's favor, often in a romantic context, but also applicable in business or politics.

prevail upon someone

Suggests successfully urging or persuading someone to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "win someone over" in a sentence?

You can use "win someone over" to describe the act of persuading someone to support your idea or agree with your opinion. For example: "She tried to "win someone over" to her side of the argument by presenting compelling evidence."

What does "win someone over" mean?

The phrase "win someone over" means to gain someone's support, approval, or affection, often through persuasion or charm.

What can I say instead of "win someone over"?

You can use alternatives like "persuade someone", "gain someone's approval", or "influence someone" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to try to "win someone over"?

No, it is not always appropriate. In situations requiring genuine connection and understanding, prioritizing persuasion over authenticity can be detrimental. Focus on building trust rather than simply trying to "win someone over".