won first pick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "won first pick" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone has been granted the opportunity to choose first, often in games, drafts, or selections. Example: "After a strong performance in the qualifiers, our team won first pick in the upcoming tournament draft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

On December 3rd, the Phoenix Mercury won first pick in the W.N.B.A.'s draft lottery.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Orioles, San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bays Rays won second-round picks.

Los Angeles Times

Pick Chow! won first place in the White House's Apps for Healthy Kids challenge.

Vice

The Clippers won the first pick in the June 25 draft Tuesday when they won the lottery, moving up from the third-best chance.

The New York Times

The team won the first pick in the NBA draft twice during that span.

Wikipedia

Staal won the first pick in the draft and selected longtime teammate Cam Ward.

Wikipedia

Team Staal won the first pick in the draft, and Eric Staal chose longtime teammate Cam Ward with his first pick.

Wikipedia

The Knicks, who are entering the lottery in the ninth position, have a 1.5percentt chance of winning the first pick, a 1.77percentt chance of winning the second and a 2.14percentt chance of winning the third.

The New York Times - Sports

Gordon Gund, the Cavaliers' owner, unveiled a No. 23 Cleveland jersey with JAMES on the back moments after winning the first pick.

The New York Times - Sports

The shadow over the organization parted for one evening when the first two combinations of balls ended in favor of the Clippers, who had the third-best chance of winning the first pick in the draft.

The New York Times

Mongo Mattson was already known to Major League Eating because to win the first pick in the Shadow Hawks fantasy baseball league he ate a spicy pickle and five and half hot dogs in five minutes (a cross disciplined athlete).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a team's achievement in a draft lottery, use "won first pick" to clearly convey their advantageous position for player selection.

Common error

Avoid using "won first pick" in contexts where the selection order is not determined by a competitive process or lottery; use more general terms like "selected first" or "chose first" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "won first pick" functions as a verb phrase indicating the achievement of obtaining the primary selection opportunity. It describes a scenario where an individual or team has successfully gained the right to choose before others. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "won first pick" signifies the achievement of securing the primary selection opportunity, predominantly used in sports and lottery contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. While the phrase is primarily used in a News & Media context, the usage extends across various platforms, and the phrase maintains a neutral formality. Alternatives include "secured the top selection" or "earned the primary choice", offering varied nuances in meaning. When employing "won first pick", ensure the context aligns with a competitive selection process to maintain clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secured the top selection

Focuses on the act of obtaining the highest choice, highlighting the competitive aspect of securing it.

earned the primary choice

Emphasizes that the first pick was gained through merit or effort.

obtained the initial selection

A more formal way of expressing the same concept, suitable for professional contexts.

gained the first draft choice

Specifically emphasizes the draft selection context, particularly in sports.

claimed the number one pick

Highlights the act of asserting one's right to the top pick, suggesting a sense of ownership.

achieved the first selection slot

Focuses on reaching the position that grants the ability to choose first, emphasizing accomplishment.

landed the premier pick

Emphasizes the luck or fortune involved in getting the first pick.

triumphed to pick first

Highlights the element of victory or overcoming obstacles to earn the first pick.

prevailed to choose first

Similar to 'triumphed', but suggests a more sustained effort or struggle to get the opportunity.

obtained the first right of selection

Formal and emphasizes the privilege of choosing first.

FAQs

How is "won first pick" typically used in sports contexts?

In sports, "won first pick" usually refers to winning a lottery or other process that determines which team gets to select first in an upcoming draft, giving them the advantage of choosing the best available player.

What's a less formal alternative to "won first pick"?

In less formal situations, you might say a team "got the first pick" or "landed the top selection" to convey the same idea.

Can "won first pick" be used outside of sports?

While primarily used in sports, "won first pick" can be used in any scenario where someone gains the privilege of choosing first, such as "securing the top selection" in a project assignment or a similar hierarchical selection process.

Is it correct to say "won the first pick at" a certain event?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "won the first pick at" a certain event. Example: Our team won the first pick at the annual NBA draft lottery.