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Etymology Journal ยท W

Win-win situation

Meaning

A scenario where everyone involved comes out ahead. It is the gold standard of compromise where nobody leaves the table feeling cheated.

Optimistic, professional

Used in a sentence

  • If we let the kids pick the movie and we get to pick the dinner, it is a win-win situation.
  • Scheduling the meeting during lunch is a win-win situation for the whole team.
  • Finding a parking spot right in front is a win-win situation for everyone.

The backstory

This is standard corporate and diplomatic jargon that migrated into everyday talk. It emerged in the 20th century to describe mutually beneficial arrangements.

Heard in

Nationwide

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