Game Over: English Vocabulary List

to be in the least favorable or losing position in a situation compared to others involved

"Our team came off worst."

"In the argument between the two neighbours the older man came off worst and had to move away."

to do something better or sooner than someone else which will ruin their plans or achievements

"His argument cut the ground from under me."

"The new evidence cut the ground from under the prosecutor's feet and the case was dismissed."

to experience a massive defeat by someone in any competitive situation

"The faster runner left the others to eat his dust."

"The underdog team was so outmatched that they were forced to eat the victor's dust."

to challenge or compete with someone in a way that surprises or impresses others

"They gave us a run."

"The young player gave the champion a real run for his money during the match."

to be even remotely comparable in quality, skill, etc.

"He cannot hold a candle to you."

"The new restaurant cannot hold a candle to the old one that closed down last year."

to give up one's position to the opposing side, resulting in a loss of progress, influence, or control

"The team lost ground fast."

"The company began to lose ground to its competitors after the new product failed."

in a position or state that is less advantageous or successful compared to others

"Our technology is behind the curve."

"The company is behind the curve when it comes to digital marketing and is losing customers to younger competitors."

to defeat someone without any difficulty

"He will walk all over you."

"The seasoned politician was able to walk all over his inexperienced opponent in the televised debate."

to completely beat someone in an argument or competition, particularly in a humiliating way

"Our team wiped the floor with them."

"In the chess tournament, the young prodigy completely wiped the floor with all the experienced grandmasters."

to completely defeat or win against someone or something in a convincing and overwhelming manner, whether it be in a competition, argument, game, or other activity

"He made mincemeat of them."

"The experienced debater was expected to make mincemeat of his less prepared opponent."

to easily defeat someone by being more skilled, powerful, or aggressive compared to them

"The sharks will eat him alive."

"In the competitive business world, unprepared individuals can easily be eaten alive by more aggressive competitors."

to easily and thoroughly defeat someone

"She eats challenges for breakfast."

"The experienced team ate the newcomers for breakfast during the debate competition."

to face a significant setback or failure in one's career, often resulting in the end of one's professional pursuits

"After that mistake, he has had his chips."

"After failing the exam twice he has had his chips and will never become a doctor now."

(of plans, hopes, etc.) to come to nothing or fail completely, often resulting in disappointment or loss

"All our plans went up in smoke."

"All his plans for the future went up in smoke when he was sent to prison for fraud."

a victory achieved at the cost of losing so many things in return

"The battle was a Pyrrhic victory."

"The battle was a Pyrrhic victory and the army lost so many soldiers that winning felt like losing."

a situation where multiple parties are at a standstill, and no one is willing to take action to resolve the situation

"The negotiation ended in a Mexican standoff."

"The negotiation ended in a Mexican standoff and neither side would agree to compromise."

to thoroughly beat someone, particularly in a contest

"He beat the daylights."

"The angry father threatened to beat the living daylights out of anyone who hurt his daughter."

to defeat someone without any difficulty

"They will walk all over us."

"The experienced champions were so dominant that they threatened to walk all over the novice competitors without breaking a sweat."

to completely defeat or win against someone or something in a convincing and overwhelming manner, whether it be in a competition, argument, game, or other activity

"They made mincemeat."

"The seasoned debater made mincemeat out of his inexperienced opponent's weak arguments."

to easily defeat someone by being more skilled, powerful, or aggressive compared to them

"He will eat us alive."

"The aggressive market competitor, with its superior resources and strategy, was poised to eat alive any smaller businesses in its path."

to thoroughly beat someone, particularly in a contest

"We will beat the daylights out of them."

"The coach rallied his team, promising they would beat the living daylights out of their rivals in the championship match."