A phrase made famous by Vince Lombardi. It meant a "Commitment to Excellence" (the similar motivational phrase used by Vince's American Football League counterpart, Al Davis), but is usually misinterpreted as "win at all costs". Richard Nixon - a football fan and a Lombardi fan - justified his criminal actions by this ethos, and it has trickled down to all of American politics and business. See: by any means necessary.