snatched victory from the jaws of defeat
Won against odds
Snatched victory from the jaws of defeat describes winning when loss seemed certain—reversing an apparently hopeless situation at the last moment.
The image suggests being so close to defeat that it's ready to swallow you, then pulling free.
Down by two touchdowns with three minutes left, they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
The phrase is often inverted for comic effect when someone manages to lose a sure thing: snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
- jawsMouth's bony framework
- comebackRecovery after decline
- turning pointDecisive moment of change
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- victoryDefeating an opponent
reversal · last-minute save · determination · triumph · Hail Mary · nail-biter · underdog · redemption · cliffhanger · final whistle · relief · exhilaration · eleventh hour · against all odds · perseverance · surprise · never say die · miracle
snatched victory from the jaws of defeatcrushing defeat
Overwhelming, decisive loss
snatch, snatches, snatching, snatcher, victor, victors, victorious, victoriously, victories