What does “On a Hiding to Nothing” mean?
"On a Hiding to Nothing" means being in a situation where success is impossible or highly unlikely.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He's attempting to convince his parents to let him go on a solo trip, but he's on a hiding to nothing.
Example
The team is playing against the top-ranked team in the league, so they're on a hiding to nothing.
Example
She's trying to negotiate a better deal with her boss, but she's on a hiding to nothing
Is “On a Hiding to Nothing” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“On a Hiding to Nothing” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “On a Hiding to Nothing” effectively in context?
You can use "On a Hiding to Nothing" to describe a situation where success is impossible or highly unlikely. It emphasizes the futility of the endeavor. For example, if someone is trying to convince their parents to let them go on a solo trip, but it's clear that they won't change their minds, you might say, 'He's attempting to convince his parents to let him go on a solo trip, but he's "on a hiding to nothing".'
- 1Personal Goals
She's been trying to lose weight without changing her diet or exercising. She's on a hiding to nothing.
- 2Sports
The team is playing against the top-ranked team in the league, so they're on a hiding to nothing.
- 3Negotiation
She's trying to negotiate a better deal with her boss, but she's on a hiding to nothing.
Similar phrases to “On a Hiding to Nothing”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “On a Hiding to Nothing” come from?
The origin of the phrase "On a Hiding to Nothing" is unknown.
Is “On a Hiding to Nothing” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "On a Hiding to Nothing" is not as common as some other idioms, but it is still used in everyday conversation. It may be more commonly used in certain regions or among specific groups of people.
What tone does “On a Hiding to Nothing” have?
"On a Hiding to Nothing" conveys a tone of hopelessness and inevitability. It suggests that the outcome of a situation is predetermined and there is no chance of success.
Can “On a Hiding to Nothing” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "On a Hiding to Nothing" is generally informal and is more likely to be used in casual conversations rather than formal settings. However, it can still be used in a variety of contexts depending on the level of formality.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'She's trying to negotiate a better deal with her boss, but she's "on a hiding to nothing".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Looks like he's "on a hiding to nothing".' to imply a situation where success is unlikely.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- no chance
- mission impossible
- dead end
- exercise in futility
- waste of time
Antonyms
- promising
- on the right track
- likely to succeed
- in with a chance
- good odds
