(ふせんが)

ふせんがち
noun
win by default; walkover
1. win by default; walkover; forfeit win
A victory achieved without playing or competing, because the opponent withdrew, failed to appear, or was disqualified.
相手(あいて)棄権(きけん)不戦勝(ふせんが)ちになった。
It became a win by default due to the opponent's withdrawal.
不戦勝(ふせんが)ちで(つぎ)のラウンドに(すす)んだ。
I advanced to the next round by walkover.
怪我(けが)出場(しゅつじょう)できなかった対戦相手(たいせんあいて)のおかげで不戦勝(ふせんが)ちとなったが、(よろこ)べる結果(けっか)ではなかった。
I won by default because my injured opponent couldn't compete, but it wasn't a result I could celebrate.

Composed of 不戦(ふせん) (without fighting) + ()ち (victory). Common in sports (especially sumo, tennis, and tournament formats) and sometimes used figuratively in business or politics when someone wins without real competition.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 不戦勝(ふせんが)ちになる: to result in a win by default
  • 不戦勝(ふせんが)ちで決勝(けっしょう)へ: advance to the final by walkover
  • 不戦勝(ふせんが)ちを記録(きろく)する: to record a forfeit win

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 不戦敗(ふせんまけ): loss by default — the corresponding term for the side that forfeits
  • 棄権勝(きけんが)ち: win by opponent's withdrawal — essentially the same meaning
  • 戦わずして勝つ(たたかわずしてかつ): to win without fighting — a more literary/proverbial expression