# walk over

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/walk-over
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To gain an easy victory.

## Examples

- Our team will walk over the competition today.
- I usually walk over my younger brother when we play video games together.
- The champion played so well that he was able to walk over his opponent in the final match.
- If the other candidate does not show up for the debate, you will likely walk over them and win the election by default.
- The experienced lawyers expected to walk over the new firm, but the case turned out to be much more difficult than they imagined.
- Despite the high stakes of the tournament, the veteran player managed to walk over the inexperienced challenger with surprising ease.

## Origin

The term originates from the turf, specifically the requirement in horse racing that a lone entrant must still cover the prescribed course to be declared the winner. When all other competitors had withdrawn or failed to appear, the remaining horse was permitted to traverse the track at a walk to claim the prize. This formal necessity converted a potential contest into a stroll, ensuring that the victory was both technically valid and physically effortless.

---

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.