win ugly

To achieve victory after putting in a lot of effort and unglamorous technique and enduring many hardships or overcoming many obstacles. (As opposed to winning with ease, grace, or style.) After falling behind by 12 points early on, the heavyweight grappler had to claw his way back to a last-second victory. "I won ugly, but a win is a win," he said after the match.

win ugly

gain victory through solid application and hard work rather than elegantly and with apparent effortlessness.

The phrase gained popularity as the title of the book Winning Ugly: Mental Warfare in Tennis ( 1993 ) by the Australian tennis coach Brad Gilbert and Steve Jamison .

2005 Croydon Guardian Manager Bob Langford said he was happy to ‘win ugly’ to ensure Ryman Division One safety.