by a landslide: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘by a landslide’ mean?

The idiom "by a landslide" means winning or achieving something by a large margin or overwhelming majority. It is often used to describe a victory or success that is decisive and uncontested.

Idiom Explorer

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The phrase "by a long way" is an idiom that is often used interchangeably with "by a landslide." Both idioms convey the idea of a significant margin or overwhelming superiority. Whether describing a political election, a sporting event, or any other competition, these expressions emphasize the clear and decisive nature of the victory or outcome. The use of "by a long way" adds a slight variation to the language, but the underlying message remains the same - one party or outcome surpasses all others by a considerable distance.

The idiom "by a long shot" is another expression that shares similarities with "by a landslide." While "by a landslide" emphasizes a wide margin of victory, "by a long shot" highlights the idea of an unlikely or unexpected outcome. Both idioms convey a sense of dominance or superiority, but "by a long shot" adds a layer of surprise or unpredictability to the equation. This variation in language allows speakers to capture nuances in the degree of success or triumph.

The election result was a landslide victory.

When it comes to describing a vast majority, the idiom "by a landslide" is often employed. The phrase "vast majority" emphasizes the overwhelming number or proportion of a particular group or outcome. Similarly, "by a landslide" conveys the idea of a decisive victory or outcome that leaves no room for doubt about the favored party or position. Whether in politics, business, or any other sphere, both idioms serve as powerful tools to emphasize the extent of a majority or the magnitude of an outcome.

Another related idiom, "by and large," shares similarities with "by a landslide" in terms of conveying a sense of dominance or predominance. "By and large" is used to describe a situation or outcome that is generally true or holds true in most cases. Similarly, "by a landslide" emphasizes a decisive win or outcome that surpasses all others. While "by and large" may have a broader application, both idioms convey the idea of an overwhelming advantage, superiority, or prevalence.

Lastly, "by far" is an idiom that shares common ground with "by a landslide." Both expressions emphasize the magnitude or degree of a particular outcome. "By far" conveys the idea of a significant difference or margin, often used to compare two or more options or possibilities. "By a landslide" also highlights a considerable margin but specifically refers to a dominant victory or outcome. Although the phrasing may differ, both idioms serve to underscore the overwhelming nature of a particular result or advantage.

Example usage

Examples of how the idiom by a landslide can be used in a sentence:

  1. He won the election by a landslide with a majority of 75% of the votes.
  2. The singer's latest album is selling by a landslide and has already broken several records.
  3. The team won the championship by a landslide after defeating every opponent by a significant margin.

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