Walkovers

Walkovers refer to situations, typically in sports or competitions, where victory is achieved easily or without significant effort, often due to the opponent's absence, weakness, or inability to compete effectively. It implies a foregone conclusion, with the outcome being highly predictable in favor of the winning party. The term suggests a lack of genuine challenge or struggle, making the win less meaningful than one earned through a hard-fought contest. These victories can be due to forfeits, mismatches in skill, or the superior team's dominant performance.

Walkovers meaning with examples

• The team anticipated a walkover in the first round of the tournament, as their opponents were significantly weaker, a team the other side of the bracket. Their dominant form was obvious to see, and they breezed through the game with ease. This walkover allowed them to conserve energy for the tougher matches ahead, their manager said.
• Due to the opposing team's sudden illness, the championship game became a walkover, meaning the team would be crowned champion. This was a disappointing turn of events for the fans hoping for a nail-biting final. While a win is a win, they still wanted the team to earn it with a competitive match, their local newspaper lamented.
• The qualifying rounds for the sprinting event were filled with walkovers for the star athlete. The opposition was quite lacking in their performance, meaning that the athlete would continue to the final easily. This allowed the athlete to focus on conserving their peak performance for the finals, saving their energy for the big race.
• The coach prepared the team knowing the match would be a walkover, with the opposing team lacking the necessary players. It was a strategic opportunity to try out new formations and strategies without the pressure of a close score line, preparing them for future, more challenging matches.