Definition

Noun: 1. The winning of all the tricks in a single hand of the card game bridge. This is the original and specific card-playing meaning. 2. A major achievement or victory, especially one involving a clean sweep of all possible honors or titles in a particular field or competition. This is the extended, more common metaphorical meaning, often used in sports and other competitive contexts.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Card Games):
  • He bid and made a grand slam, earning a huge bonus for his team.
  • A small slam is winning twelve tricks; a grand slam requires all thirteen.
• Noun (Sports/Competition):
  • The tennis player completed a career Grand Slam by winning all four major tournaments.
  • Winning the championship, the MVP award, and the scoring title in one season is considered a grand slam in basketball.

Advanced Usage

• Capitalization: In specific sports contexts like tennis or golf, the term is often capitalized as "Grand Slam" when referring to the set of major tournaments themselves (e.g., the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open constitute the tennis Grand Slams).
  • She is competing in all four Grand Slam events this year.
• "Grand Slam" as a modifier: The term can be used adjectivally to describe an event or achievement.
  • It was a grand slam home run that won the game.
  • He is a Grand Slam champion.

Variants and Related Words

• Slam (noun): In bridge, a contract to win twelve tricks (a ) or all thirteen tricks (a ). In general usage, it can mean a great success or a forceful impact.
• Grand Slammer (noun, informal): A person who has achieved a grand slam.

Synonyms

• Clean sweep: A victory in every part of a contest or competition.
• Sweep: Winning all the games in a series.
• Perfect game: A term used in sports like bowling or baseball for a flawless performance.

Related Phrases

• Hit a grand slam: Literally, in baseball, to hit a home run with the bases loaded, scoring four runs. Figuratively, to achieve a major, comprehensive success.
  • The new product was a grand slam for the company, dominating the market.
• Grand Slam bid: In bridge, the declaration to attempt to win all tricks. Figuratively, an attempt to achieve a complete victory.
  • The company's grand slam bid for the entire contract was successful.

Related Idioms

• The full monty (informal, British): Meaning the whole thing or everything possible, similar to the comprehensive nature of a grand slam.
• Running the table: To win all the points, games, or tricks in a sequence, similar to achieving a clean sweep.

Noun

1. winning all of the tricks in a hand of bridge