You can't win 'em all

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Meaning

Some losses come, not all wins.

Origin

From 20th-century America, tied to sports; 'win 'em all' for loss, slang by 1930s in a tale for shrug. A 1940s 'Variety' uses it for a fade.

Variants

  • Win 'em
  • Can't win

Usage Examples

  • Lost again; you can't win 'em all.
  • You can't win 'em all; keep at it.
  • Win 'em all? Nope; some slip.

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