accept (a) defeat

This page is about the collocation accept (a) defeat

collocation pattern: verb + noun

Meaning

to accept the fact that you didn't win a game, match, contest, election, etc.

For example

  • John gets angry when he loses because he finds it so hard to accept a defeat.

  • They've been in power for a long time, so their defeat in this election isn't easy for them to accept.

Note:
A similar collocation is "accept a loss", and related collocations include "concede defeat" and "admit defeat".

Quick Quiz

Which has to accept a defeat?

a. the side that defeats an opponent

b. the side that's been defeated

c. both sides
a) the side that defeats an opponent b) the side that's been defeated c) both sides

Contributor: Matt Errey