Zero-sum game

/zˈiəɹəʊsˈʌm ɡˈeɪm/

/zˈiəɹoʊsˈʌm ɡˈeɪm/

Zero-sum game

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

What 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.

Examples

1. It's a Zero-Sum Game and THEY'RE convinced that rather tried to emulate success

Nearby words