the jaws of defeat
noun phrase
: the position of being close to losing
The team was able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat by scoring in the final seconds of the game.
Examples of the jaws of defeat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Denver Broncos were able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat on Sunday against the New York Giants, scoring 33 fourth quarter points to come away with a 33-32 victory to move to 5-2 on the 2025 season.
—
Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
Of course, Shrader nailed the 45-yarder, the Colts reached back into the jaws of defeat and yanked out a win, and Broncos quarterback Bo Nix was left to stare blankly into the distance on a sideline bench.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
Indiana has been no stranger to snatching victory from the jaws of defeat during this postseason, and last night was just their latest basketball miracle.
—Mikai Bruce, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Johnson hit the free throw to give the Knicks a 92-91 lead, and that score would hold as the Knicks snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
Throughout the season, the Knights repeatedly demonstrated their resilience, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in critical moments.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 May 2025
But there have also been matches snatched from the jaws of defeat.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Alas, the jaws of defeat are nipping at all our contender's heels, and even the intrepid Squeals on Wheels van may not be fast enough to outpace them.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 24 Mar. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
Of course, Shrader nailed the 45-yarder, the Colts reached back into the jaws of defeat and yanked out a win, and Broncos quarterback Bo Nix was left to stare blankly into the distance on a sideline bench.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
Indiana has been no stranger to snatching victory from the jaws of defeat during this postseason, and last night was just their latest basketball miracle.
—Mikai Bruce, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Johnson hit the free throw to give the Knicks a 92-91 lead, and that score would hold as the Knicks snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
Throughout the season, the Knights repeatedly demonstrated their resilience, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in critical moments.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 May 2025
But there have also been matches snatched from the jaws of defeat.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Alas, the jaws of defeat are nipping at all our contender's heels, and even the intrepid Squeals on Wheels van may not be fast enough to outpace them.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“The jaws of defeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20jaws%20of%20defeat. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share