what does to the victor go the spoils mean

To the Victor Go the Spoils Meaning

Definition: The winner gets the rewards.

Victor is a equivalent word for winner, and spoils are things forcibly taken from a person.

Origin of To the Victor Hold up the Spoils

This expression originated in US in the year 1832. William Marcy, a senator from New York, said They see nothing vicious in the rule that to the victor belongs the spoils of victory. He was making a political statement against the Democratic Political party.

Examples of To the Victor Go the Spoils

to the victors belong the spoils In the conversation on a lower floor, 2 friends are discussing an coming boxing match that they are going to be competing in.

Robert Scott: Listen, I know that you and I are going to be competing against each strange soon. I just wanted to say that whatever happens, I hope we'll notwithstandin Be friends.

Tony: Yeah, Pine Tree State too. Anyway, I don't really care who wins and who loses.

Scott: Really? Because I screw we some really like Lindsay. I cogitate she'll privation to date whichever one of us wins the boxing match.

Tony: Why do you think that?

Scott: You know, because to the superior go the spoils.

Tony: These are modern multiplication. I don't think she'll make her decision connected whom to see supported whoever wins the boxing equalise.

to the victor goes the spoils Two coworkers use the expression piece speaking about a competition in their workplace.

Richard: I hope our team wins.

Miranda: Yeah me too. They really gave U.S. a lot of incentives. The winners bequeath get three extra paid days turned, free lunch for a month, and the advisable parking places.

Richard: I know. The benefits of winning are huge! It's just such a tough rivalry. It's hard for me to stay intended.

Miranda: Yeah. I live what you mean. But we're doing a cracking Job so distant, and there's only one week left. Just do what I exercise whenever you feel like surrender. Remind yourself of the saying to the winner kick the bucket the spoils. It's solid right now, but information technology will feel so good once we have totally those prizes.

Richard: I'll try my better.

More Examples

The first example uses the expression to make a play on words. Another definition of spoil is the verb, which means to ruin the value of something.

To the victor go the spoils; but whatever effrontery or perceived arrogance along the part of the ii top candidates could spoil the political prospects for both. –LA Times

The secondly example is about a golf player who won an island.

To the victor go the spoils, and for Tiger Woods, winner of 14 major golf championships and one of the richest athletes on the planet, the spoils include, among other things, a private island in Sweden. –LA Times