Using "must-win" correctly

[Quakes]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Marv Levy yet.

 

[Point of Order]

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

 

[Herbert Anchovy]

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