X's and O's

idiom

Meaning

The fundamental elements of a play.

Origin

disputed origin

Derived from the use of the letters X and O as common stand-ins for other concepts.

Examples

SIMPLE

The coach explains the X's and O's before the game starts.

CONTEXTUAL

If you want to win this match, you need to stop worrying about the crowd and focus on the X's and O's of our strategy.

COMPLEX

While the fans cheered for the star athlete, the veteran coach remained focused on the complex X's and O's required to dismantle the opponent's defensive formation.

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Last updated July 12, 2026