achieved a show-business trifecta: a platinum record, hit TV series, and an Oscar
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: a variation of the perfecta in which a bettor wins by selecting the first three finishers of a race in the correct order of finish
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Where does trifecta come from?
Trifecta is a recent addition to the English language. It first appeared in the early 1970s as a term for a horse-racing bet in which the first, second, and third place finishers are chosen in the correct order.
The word has since broadened in meaning: it can now also refer to a group of three (usually desirable) things (such as “the trifecta of curing cancer, ending hunger, and putting an end to war"). It is found in everything from advertisements to media company names to casual speech.
Trifecta combines the prefix tri- (meaning “three”) with the last element in perfecta, a word of American Spanish origin that refers to a horse-racing bet in which the first- and second-place finishers are chosen correctly.
that summertime trifecta for meteorologically induced misery: hazy, hot, and humid
Recent Examples on the WebJosef Newgarden earned a $1 million bonus for winning at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., where his third win of the season completed a trifecta of victories on IndyCar’s different circuits.BostonGlobe.com, 12 June 2022 Along with Con Air and The Rock, Face/Off completed a trifecta of movies that made Nicolas Cage one of the biggest actors of the decade. Jordan Calhoun, Men's Health, 5 May 2022 With only 11 days to go until the Nov. 2 elections, the Democrats are hoping to energize their base to turn out and maintain each states' government trifecta. Rick Klein, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2021 Completing the trifecta would be the successful detection of gravitational waves from a galactic supernova. Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Aug. 2022 The trifecta of burnout recovery is eating a healthy diet, getting ample sleep, and having a regular exercise regimen. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 4 July 2022 The trifecta of Falcon 9 missions began at 16:09 UTC Friday with the launch of 53 Starlink Internet satellites from the Kennedy Space Center. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 24 June 2022 The $2 exacta paid $27.60, and the $1 trifecta paid $187.50. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 11 June 2022 To complete the traditional trifecta, Alexandra’s something old was the 100-year-old diamond in the engagement ring that’s been passed down in Jon’s family. Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 27 May 2022 See More