snatch defeat from the jaws of victory

To fail, lose, or be defeated despite the appearance that one would be victorious, especially due to a mistake, error, or poor judgment. (An ironic reversal of the more common "snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.") We were ahead by nearly 20 points with less than half the quarter remaining—how on earth did we manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory like that? The candidate has led in the polls right up to election day, but with that unfortunate remark last night, he may well have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

See also: defeat, jaw, of, snatch, victory

See also:

References in periodicals archive ?

The way they are repeatedly able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory is astonishing.

THE REACTION: 'A shambles, disastrous, embarrassing, ashamed'

While a team on a roll can make the impossible look regular, teams which haven't managed to hit the right note can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Going into match 16 of the league, while Sunrisers Hyderabad are definitely on a roll, Delhi Capitals need to buck up.

In-form Sunrisers hold edge against erratic Capitals

Moor beat Andy McIntosh's charges back in September, when the visitors somehow managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory following a stirring second half fightback.

Wids hope to turn the Heat on at home; WIDNES SCRUM DOWN PACKING IN ALL THE NEWS FROM MERSEYSIDE'S RUGBY UNION CLUBS sport@liverpool.com

There were inordinate delays, allegations of rigging and a lack of transparency flew in all directions and the ECP managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. It now transpires that the RTS had not 'crashed' and NADRA, creators of the mobile app are now known to have protested to the ECP at the time that it was still running fine and what was the ECP doing?

An act awaiting clean-up

Queen of the South still won't quite believe how they managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory last week against St Mirren.

Weekend prices; McBookie

Yet somehow, they managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and lined up to vote with their Westminster bosses on a spectacularly flawed piece of legislation.

Ruth's MPs just fall into line behind UK bosses

The activities of Momentum and aggressive members of the hard-left could yet snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

How Labour could lose it

Dudley and Weetslade prevailed 8-5 at the Charnwood Longbenton while the Benedictine managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Killi Station lose the battle with Waterloo; AIS OFFSHORE CRAM/TON AND DISTRICT SUNDAY LG

OLD Rishworthians managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in an uninspiring 12-10 defeat at Leodiensians in Yorkshire II.

Copley side slip up at Leodiensians; RUGBY UNION

EASTENDERS (8pm BBC1) GOODNESS me, but Carol Jackson, pictured, really is the most infuriating woman in soap - the safe pair of hands you can always rely on to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

WE LOVE SOAPS; TODAY'S TV With Jane Simon

It was somehow fitting that the match was a rollercoaster, mirroring the journey Murray has taken to get here, as at one stage he looked poised to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Phew, that's a relief, says Andy; TENNIS

Yesterday'shi ghlights vvHaving backed Jack's Revenge for the opening 1m2'f handicap at Haydock it was infuriating to say the least to see him appear to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Basseterre looks worth steaming intob ack ont urf; TRADING POST TODAY'SP OINTERS

The candidate's flaming rhetoric and out-of-touch comments on social issues ranging from contraception to separation of church and state helped him snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Next up: Super Tuesday

Or snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against a very average Ipswich side - who admittedly have now improved, putting a run of wins together we can only dream of?

We're going down with a whimper; Fans' Zone

These decisions and a few uncharacteristic defensive lapses allowed Wrexham to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.