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Zero-sum game
01
a situation in which one side can achieve victory by taking the advantage away from the other side in a competition, causing them to lose the game
IdiomWhat is the origin of the idiom "zero-sum game" and when to use it?
The idiom "zero-sum game" originated in game theory, where it describes a game in which the total amount of winnings and losses is always zero. The phrase is often used more broadly to describe situations where there is a fixed amount of resources or opportunities, and any gain by one person or group must come at the expense of another.
zero-sum game
n
Example
The competition for resources is a zero-sum game, with each company trying to gain an advantage over the others.
The trade negotiations have been a zero-sum game, with each country trying to gain an advantage over the other.
Negotiations between the two countries are a zero-sum game - any gains made by one side will be matched by corresponding losses by the other side.
If we don't find a way to cooperate, the situation could become a zero-sum game, with each party trying to maximize their own gains.
