snatch defeat from the jaws of victory
Fumble certain success
To snatch defeat from the jaws of victory is to lose a contest or endeavor that seemed certain to be won, usually through poor decisions, carelessness, or choking under pressure.
The phrase inverts the older "snatch victory from the jaws of defeat," turning it into an ironic commentary on spectacular failure: They were up by twenty points with two minutes left and still managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
- chokeObstruct breathing or airflow
- fumble the bagWaste a certain opportunity
- drop the ballFail at a critical moment
- miscalculationError in estimation
- tragic flawDefect causing protagonist's downfall
mismanagement · overconfidence · self-doubt · upset · hubris · complacency · poetic justice · blunder · betrayal · shortsightedness · self-sabotage · own goal · throw it away · unintended consequences · turnover · irony · hesitation · downfall
snatch defeat from the jaws of victorysnatch victory from the jaws of defeat
Win against overwhelming odds
snatch defeat from the jaws of victoryseal the deal
Finalize an agreement
finish strong · rise to the occasion · pull through · hold one's nerve · slam the door
snatch defeat from the jaws of victorysnatch victory from the jaws of defeat
Win against overwhelming odds
Cinderella story · miracle finish · fairy-tale ending · redemption story
snatch, snatched, snatching, snatches, snatcher, defeat, defeated, defeating, defeats