take the L
Acknowledge your failure
Take the L means to accept a loss or defeat, especially with resignation.
The L stands for loss, originally from sports statistics where wins and losses are recorded as W's and L's.
The phrase has spread from sports and gaming to general use: Just take the L and move on.
It often implies someone should stop arguing or making excuses and simply acknowledge they've lost.
Admit something reluctantly
- acceptConsent to receive
- admitConfess or grant entry
- acknowledgeConfirm receipt or truth
- swallow prideAccept wounded dignity
move on · let go · own it · face facts · suck it up · no excuses · humble pie · eat crow
Being without something
- beatenHaving lost a contest
- outplayedDefeated through better play
- outclassedBeaten by superior competition
- bestedOvercame in a contest
dominated · crushed · trounced · thrashed · routed · demolished · humiliated · clobbered
Foolish, costly mistake
- mistakeWrong action or decision
- misstepError in action or judgment
- fumbleHandle with clumsy fingers
- chokeObstruct breathing or airflow
flop · botch · screw-up · faceplant · embarrassment · fiasco · debacle · disaster
Recover from difficulty
- growIncrease in size
- recoverRegain health or possession
- dust offRemove accumulated grime
- try againRepeat an effort
comeback · next time · keep going · stay humble · character building · lesson learned · motivation
concede
Admit something reluctantly
- acceptConsent to receive
- admitConfess or grant entry
- acknowledgeConfirm receipt or truth
swallow pride · move on · let go · own it · face facts · suck it up · no excuses · humble pie · eat crow
loss
Being without something
- beatenHaving lost a contest
- outplayedDefeated through better play
- outclassedBeaten by superior competition
bested · dominated · crushed · trounced · thrashed · routed · demolished · humiliated · clobbered · whipped
blunder
Foolish, costly mistake
choke · flop · botch · screw-up · faceplant · embarrassment · fiasco · debacle · disaster · epic fail
bounce back
Recover from difficulty
try again · comeback · next time · keep going · stay humble · character building · lesson learned · motivation
- slangslang, jargon, lingo, argot, cant
- surrendersurrender, surrenders, surrendering, I surrender, capitulate
take the Lwin
Achieve victory
come out on top · triumph · prevail · succeed · crush it