concede
admit something is true, reluctantly
To say that something is true or correct, usually after you first said it was not, or when you do not want to say it is true.
to concede (that) [clause]
- Under pressure from reporters, the senator finally conceded that mistakes had been made.
- She conceded that her original estimate had been far too low.
- The company conceded that it had failed to inform customers about the change.
- He reluctantly conceded that the new system was, in fact, more efficient.
- I concede that there may be some truth in your argument, but I still disagree with your conclusion.
- He finally conceded that he was wrong.
- The manager conceded that the project was late.
- She conceded that the test was very difficult.
- They conceded that the plan needed changes.
- I concede that your idea is better.
accept or admit defeat
To say clearly that you have lost a game, election, or fight.
to concede defeat (in [something])
- After realizing he could not win, the candidate called his opponent to concede the election.
- The chess player knocked over his king to concede defeat.
- Under mounting pressure, the CEO finally conceded defeat and withdrew the takeover bid.
- The team refused to concede defeat, even with only a few minutes left on the clock.
- She held out for several hours before she conceded defeat and signed the agreement.
- He called his rival to concede the election.
- Our team was tired, but they would not concede defeat.
- The company finally conceded defeat and stopped the project.
- She conceded defeat after losing three games in a row.
- They conceded the race when it was clear they could not win.
give or allow something unwillingly
To give or allow something, like time, money, or rights, usually when you do not really want to.
to concede [something] (to [someone])
- In order to reach a deal, the company agreed to concede some control over pricing.
- The government was forced to concede additional rights to minority groups.
- Negotiators refused to concede any further ground on the key issues.
- He would not concede even a small advantage to his competitors.
- After hours of talks, both sides agreed to concede a little to break the deadlock.
- The company finally conceded some power to the workers.
- The government conceded more rights to the group.
- She did not want to concede any control to her partner.
- They conceded a small part of the land to their neighbors.
- Both sides had to concede something to make a deal.
let the other team score
In sports, to let the other team score a goal or points.
to concede [a goal/points] (to [team])
- The team conceded two goals in the final ten minutes.
- We can’t afford to concede another penalty before half-time.
- They conceded an early goal but came back to win 3–1.
- Our defense has conceded only three goals all season.
- The visitors conceded a soft goal after a simple mistake at the back.
- The team conceded one goal in the first half.
- Our club often concedes late goals.
- They conceded a penalty and lost the game.
- We played well and did not concede any goals.
- The goalkeeper was angry after they conceded again.
- Base: concede
- 3rd Person Singular: concedes
- Present Participle: conceding
- Past: conceded
concede a goal
1let the other team score a goal
In sports, to let the other team score one goal.
- They conceded a goal in the first minute of the match.
- We can’t afford to concede a goal so early in the game.
- The team played defensively and didn’t concede a goal all night.
concede a penalty
1give away a penalty in sports
In sports, to make a foul so that the other team gets a penalty kick or shot.
- The defender conceded a penalty with a careless challenge in the box.
- We almost conceded a penalty right before half-time.
- They conceded a penalty but the goalkeeper made a brilliant save.
concede defeat
1officially accept you have lost
To say clearly that you have lost a game, fight, election, or other competition.
- Realizing there was no way back, the challenger finally had to concede defeat.
- After hours of negotiation, the union refused to concede defeat and walked out of the talks.
- She reluctantly conceded defeat and dropped out of the race.
concede ground
1give up position or advantage
To lose or give away power, control, or advantage in a fight, debate, or negotiation.
- The government is unwilling to concede ground on tax reform.
- Unions refused to concede ground on workers’ rights.
- As public opinion shifted, the party slowly began to concede ground to its rivals.
concede the election
1formally admit losing an election
To officially say that you did not win an election.
- The candidate called his opponent to concede the election on live television.
- Pressure mounted on him to concede the election as the vote count became clearer.
- She refused to concede the election until every last ballot had been counted.
concede the point
1accept someone’s argument is correct
To say that one specific thing another person argues is right.
- I concede the point, but I still disagree with your overall conclusion.
- The minister conceded the point about rising costs but defended the new policy.
- She smiled and conceded the point, then moved on to a different argument.
I concede
1admit the other person is right
Said when you accept that another person is right or that you have lost.
- "All right, I concede," he said with a laugh.
- "I concede," she replied. "Your solution is better than mine."
- After hearing the final figures, he simply shrugged and said, "I concede."