win hands down
Meaning
To win very easily or decisively, without much effort or doubt.
Origin
Likely from 19th-century horse racing: a jockey would lower his hands on the reins when victory was assured, signalling an effortless win; later generalized to other contests.
Notes
Informal and often used casually or in media; conveys an easy, decisive victory and can be slightly emphatic. Avoid in very formal writing.
Examples
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She won the election hands down.
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Our team won hands down despite the rain.
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He was the best candidate and won hands down.
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They won the championship hands down this year.
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The new phone beats the old model hands down.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually follows 'win' as in 'win hands down' (He won hands down). Can modify nouns as a hyphenated adjective: 'hands-down winner' or 'hands-down the best'. Not inflected.
Synonyms
- win easily
- cruise to victory
- win by a landslide
- romp home
- walkover
Antonyms
- lose narrowly
- win by a narrow margin
- barely win
- struggle to win