Not that point, I know, but I can’t see him ever admitting defeat, even if he’s eventually forced to concede it. Fine shades of meaning, and all that...
Brahumbug is right, and I’ve noticed that some papers and online media sites are now not saying that, so maybe it’s been pointed out? You can accept defeat, but not concede defeat.
To concede defeat is not perfectly acceptable. Concede means to relinquish or give away, you cannot give away a defeat, only a victory. I am not technically correct, I am absolutely correct.
It didn't misfire at all, the Guardian remains a poor excuse for a newspaper, it's only redeeming feature being it is at least left of centre.
How come then that concede defeat is given as an example in the Oxford learners dictionary ?? Appalling abuse of the English language ?? Are you, as they say, having a laugh ?
I agree with the original poster; the phrase: ' Trump refused to concede defeat' jars, but technically it is not incorrect. The accepted usage is 'admit defeat, concede victory' but the meaning is virtually the same. It is academic anyway because I don't believe Trump will ever admit or concede defeat.
I read the op early doors, before Maw's comment. I thought that I was being dim, because I couldn't see the problem either. Just goes to show - you have to be very careful if you want to look superior.
From Oxford learners dictionary. Seems fine to me!
[intransitive, transitive] concede (defeat) to admit that you have lost a game, an election, etc. After losing this decisive battle, the general was forced to concede. Injury forced Hicks to concede defeat.
His unwillingness to concede may have something to do with his financial affairs.
The NY Times is reporting that Trump is facing at least 12 federal and state investigations, and has to repay loans of $300million in the next few years. He also owes another $100million. His tax affairs are also under investigation.
I seem to be missing your point concede - definition If you concede something, you admit that it is true, proper, or certain — usually in an unwilling way and often in the context of a competition, as in "At midnight, the candidate finally conceded defeat ."