E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Carry One’s Point (To).
To succeed in one’s aim. Candidates in Rome were balloted for, and the votes were marked on a tablet by points. Hence, omne punctum ferre meant “to be carried nem. con.,” or to gain every vote; and “to carry one’s point” is to carry off the points at which one aimed.
