expression, godan verb (-ru)
to be declared the winner in sumo by the referee's fan
Literal sumo term: the referee raises his fan (軍配) toward the winning wrestler.
大関に軍配が上がった。
The referee's fan was raised for the ōzeki (the ōzeki was declared the winner).
expression, godan verb (-ru)
to be declared the winner;
Idiomatic extension: used in any contest, debate, or comparison when one side is judged the winner.
今回のコンペでは、彼の提案に軍配が上がった。
In this competition, his proposal was declared the winner.
議論の末、結局は彼女の意見に軍配が上がった。
After the discussion, her opinion ultimately won out.