scrambling; falling over each other; striving to be first
Describes a situation where many people compete eagerly to do something first, often in a disorderly rush. Similar to 我先に, but 我勝ちに emphasizes the selfish 'me first' attitude.
See also: 我先に
As soon as the store opened, customers scrambled inside, each trying to be first.
子どもたちは我勝ちにプレゼントに手を伸ばした。
The children all reached for the presents, falling over each other in their eagerness.
Standard kanji spelling; the reading われがちに is the only reading given.
Alternate kanji spelling using が instead of 勝ち; less common but still encountered.
From 我 (われ, 'I, oneself') + 勝ち (がち, from 勝つ 'to win') + に (adverbial particle). Literally 'in a self-winning manner,' i.e., trying to beat others.