belong



belong to someone or something

to be owned by someone or something. This one belongs to me. This desk belongs to the company. You can't take it home!
See also: belong

belong under something

to be classified under some general category. This one belongs under the other category. This file belongs under A.
See also: belong

To the victors belong the spoils.

Prov. The winners achieve power over people and property. The mayor took office and immediately fired many workers and hired new ones. Everyone said, "To the victors belong the spoils."
See also: belong, spoil, victor

to the victor belong the spoils

The winner gets everything, as in He not only won the tournament but ended up with numerous lucrative endorsements-to the victor belong the spoils . This expression alludes to the spoils system of American politics, whereby the winner of an election gives desirable jobs to party supporters. [First half of 1800s]
See also: belong, spoil, victor

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
TrudiTROO-deeGerman, English
Angelou['ændʒə.lu:]
ChicoSHEE-kooPortuguese
Wendy['wendi]
Shprintze-Yiddish
Filippfee-LEEPRussian