score points

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see score, point.

“He scored points with teachers by promising them higher pay.”

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Meanings

verbscore points (third-person singular simple present scores points, present participle scoring points, simple past and past participle scored points)

present singular third person scores points · participle present scoring points · participle past scored points · past scored points

  1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see score, point.
  2. derogatoryfigurativelyoftenTo outdo (someone) in an argument, especially by pandering or rhetorical convenience.

    He scored points with teachers by promising them higher pay.

    2 more examples

    Instead of putting forward meaningful proposals, she's just trying to score political points.

    The Tories are ideologically opposed to large state-run industries, and the Lib Dems can sniff an opportunity to score points in their freshly won commuting constituencies outside London.

    2025 February 19, Paul Clifton, “I am absolutely committed to reforming the railway”, in RAIL, number 1029, page 40
Cite this entry
APA

score points. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/score%20points

MLA

“score points.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/score%20points. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “score points,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/score%20points.

Source: score points on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.