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Using "must-win" correctly

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by flexmaster33, May 6, 2011.

  1. dixiehack

    dixiehack Well-Known Member

    If a horse is in danger of becoming a gelding, that counts as must-win.
     
  2. smith_kb

    smith_kb New Member

    I would agree with a slight revision. I think a team that is down say 0-2 and is headed home for 2 games is in a must win situation for both of those games. The numbers show that a team that loses on the road and home is destine for trouble. Even 3-1 deficit heading back to you opponents house is a death sentence.
     
  3. mediaguy

    mediaguy Well-Known Member

    It's usually a really-ought-to-win situation. And people write "unanswered" when they mean "uninterrupted."
     
  4. Ace

    Ace Well-Known Member

    I always say it's a prefer-to-win game.
     
  5. RedCanuck

    RedCanuck Active Member

    Really? As opposed to a prefer-to-lose game?
     
  6. Ace

    Ace Well-Known Member

    Wow. Got me there.
     
  7. printdust

    printdust New Member

    Literally: a word that needs to be retired.
     
  8. If I remember right, some analyst once said a player was "exploding out there, and I mean that literally". I might have the wrong verb, but I know it was completely ridiculous.
     
  9. Quakes

    Quakes Guest

    I'm surprised no one has mentioned Marv Levy yet.
     
  10. Point of Order

    Point of Order Active Member

    Which of these definitions does must-win fit into? Even if it is an elimination game, saying elimination game or every do-or-die is a better descriptive than "must-win". I guess definition 2 is the one everyone is channeling when they say or write must-win, as in, the Lakers are "required by immediate or future need or purpose" to win. Given that usage, it's too broad to carry any real meaning.


    Definition of MUST

    verbal auxiliary
    1
    a : be commanded or requested to <you must stop>
    b : be urged to : ought by all means to <you must read that book>
    2
    : be compelled by physical necessity to <one must eat to live> : be required by immediate or future need or purpose to <we must hurry to catch the bus>
    3
    a : be obliged to : be compelled by social considerations to <I must say you're looking well>
    b : be required by law, custom, or moral conscience to <we must obey the rules>
    c : be determined to <if you must go at least wait for me>
    d : be unreasonably or perversely compelled to <why must you argue>
    4
    : be logically inferred or supposed to <it must be time>
    5
    : be compelled by fate or by natural law to <what must be will be>
    6
    : was or were presumably certain to : was or were bound to <if he did it she must have known>
    7
    dialect : may, shall —used chiefly in questions
     
  11. Herbert Anchovy

    Herbert Anchovy Active Member

    "World War II was a must-win situation." -- Marv Levy
     
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