vie

c'est la vie

From French, literally "that's life." Used to indicate resigned acceptance of something that one dislikes but cannot change. I know you're annoyed to have gotten another parking ticket, but c'est la vie. I had hoped to get home early enough to cook dinner, but that didn't happen, so we ordered pizza instead—c'est la vie. A: "I was supposed to go to the beach today, but it's raining." B: "Oh well, c'est la vie."

See also: la, vie

vie for (something)

To struggle, fight, or compete in order to attain something. The two candidates are so close in the polls that both are vying for any kind of advantage they can find. It's nearly impossible to sit down for a meal with a friend without having the kids vie for your attention the whole time. The region has fallen into disarray as multiple factions vie for power.

See also: for, vie

vie over (something)

To struggle, fight, or compete in order to attain something. The two candidates are so close in the polls that both are vying over any kind of advantage they can find. It's nearly impossible to sit down for a meal with a friend without having the kids vie over your attention the whole time. The region has fallen into disarray as multiple factions vie over control of the area.

See also: over, vie

vie with (one)

To fight, contend, or compete with one (for something). Tom and I have vied with one another for top of the class since our freshman year. The embattled kingdom has been vying with three other nations for control over the region. It seems there's a new superstar in the racing world whom you'll have to vie with soon.

See also: vie

vie with (one) for (something)

To fight, contend, or compete with one for something. Tom and I have vied with one another for top of the class since our freshman year. The embattled kingdom has been vying with three other nations for control over the region.

See also: for, vie

vie with (one) over (something)

To fight, contend, or compete with one for something. Tom and I have vied with one another over the top of the class since our freshman year. The embattled kingdom has been vying with three other nations over control of the region.

See also: over, vie

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

vie (with someone) (for someone or something)

 and vie (with someone) (over someone or something)

to compete or contend with someone for someone or something. They vied with each other for Mary's favor. I really don't want to have to vie with Randy for recognition.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

vie for

v.

To contend with another or others to attain some goal, such as a victory in a contest: The top three students in the class vied for the title of valedictorian.

See also: for, vie

vie with

v.

To contend with someone to attain a goal, such as a victory in a contest: The champion sprinter will vie with the new young athlete in the final round of competition.

See also: vie

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.