Definition
To make a special, determined effort to achieve general success or a particular goal, in life, in one's career, in negotiation, etc.
In Context
- ""I play to win. I am playing for human lives. This, sir, is the torture, marks of which you have seen on the prisoners; but your inexperience will not detect at a glance all the diabolical ingenuity and cruelty that lurks in this piece of linen and these straps of leather.""
- ""The difference between playing to win and playing not to lose is the difference between the successful executive and the security-hunting, mediocre man."
- "And Bullock could care less about the judge's threats. Like always, he was playing to win."
- "Rahm Emanuel was certainly a surprising choice for chief of staff — he's a hard-cussing, old-school-campaign knife fighter and pragmatic congressional arm twister who plays to win."