# snatch defeat from the jaws of victory

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/snatch-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To suddenly lose a contest one seemed very likely to win, especially through mistakes or bad judgment.

## Examples

- They played poorly and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
- The team led by ten points until the final minute, when they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with two careless errors.
- Despite holding a commanding lead throughout the entire tournament, the champion faltered at the final hurdle and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

## Origin

An ironic reversal of snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.