carrying the day
Achieving final victory
Carrying the day means winning a contest, argument, or struggle—achieving victory when the outcome was in doubt.
The phrase comes from military usage, where the day referred to a battle: Despite being outnumbered, the cavalry carried the day.
Now it applies to debates, elections, or any situation where one side prevails: Her closing argument carried the day with the jury.
- overcomingDefeating a challenge
- convincingAble to persuade
- winning overConvincing someone to agree
- triumphResounding, celebrated victory
- swayingRhythmic lateral movement
prevailing · conquest · defeating · contending · achievement · accomplishment · breakthrough · closing the deal · inspiring · clinching · glory · winning · mastery · rising to the occasion · motivating · battling · commanding · advocating
carrying the dayfalling short
Not meeting expectations
coming up short · meeting one's Waterloo · snatching defeat from the jaws of victory · failing · succumbing
carrying the daycapitulating
Ceasing to resist
surrendering · giving in · yielding · conceding · caving in
carrying the daylosing ground
retreating · falling back · giving way · slipping · declining
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