You can't win them all

(you) can't win them all

A phrase said, often as an attempt at consolation, when one has lost or failed to achieve a desired result, especially after previous success. "Them" is sometimes abbreviated as "'em." I know you're disappointed to have the lost the game, but you can't win them all, honey. A: "I'm sorry, I know you worked really hard and were expecting an A+." B: "Eh, can't win 'em all." I would have been thrilled to get that promotion, but oh well. You can't win 'em all.

See also: all, win

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

you can't win them all (or win some, lose some)

said to express consolation or resignation after failure in a contest. informal

See also: all, win

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

you can’t win them ˈall

,

you ˈwin some, you ˈlose some

(spoken) used to express sympathy for somebody who has been disappointed about something: ‘I made a terrible speech this evening.’ ‘Well, you can’t win them all. Don’t worry about it.’

See also: all, win

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

You can’t win them all

and You can’t win ’em all

sent. No one succeeds all the time. (Said when someone fails.) Don’t fret about it, Tom. You can’t win them all.

See also: all, win

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.