Carry the day

Meaning

Win the victory or gain the advantage.

Usage

Used in debates, elections, or any situation where one side prevails.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Military origins describing the side that won on a given day.

Used in 18th-century battle accounts before becoming a general idiom.