in vain

in vain

1. adjective Without success; futile. I tried to convince the other board members, but my efforts were in vain, and they outvoted me.
2. adverb Without success; futilely. I tried in vain to convince the other board members, and they outvoted me.
See also: vain
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

in vain

for no purpose; [done] as a failure. They rushed her to the hospital, but they did it in vain. We tried in vain to get her there on time.
See also: vain
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

in vain

To no avail, useless, as in All our work was in vain. [c. 1300] Also see take someone's name in vain.
See also: vain
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

in ˈvain

without success: They tried in vain to persuade her to go. All our efforts were in vain.
See also: vain
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

in vain

1. To no avail; without success: Our labor was in vain.
2. In an irreverent or disrespectful manner: took the Lord's name in vain.
See also: vain
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • make do
  • without a second thought
  • leave (one) to (one's) own devices
  • leave one to own devices
  • leave somebody to their own devices
  • leave someone to their own devices
  • leave to own devices
  • leave to someone's own devices
  • go AWOL
  • within (one's) means
References in periodicals archive
"In vain" is a value judgment on the emptiness of one's endeavors.
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (proper 21): September 25, 2005
Given the political turmoil in Israel, one looks for some sign of conflict or tragedy, but in vain. Without something concrete in the distance to capture one's attention, the eye is drawn to the simple beauty of the bright red hair band in the immediate foreground.
SHARON YA'ARI
Paul's definitive assessment that "if Christ be not risen again, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is also in vain" (1 Cor.
England: Bishop Peter Smith and dissent (from Christian Order editorial, April, 1998)
From its beginnings in 1986, OCA initiated campaigns throughout the state against such "family" issues as abortion and the National Endowment for the Arts, often in vain. But in 1988, the group discovered gay-bashing as a lucrative, winning ticket, and used it to overturn a gubernatorial decree prohibiting employment discrimination against gays and lesbians in state government.
Cruel crusade: the holy war against lesbians and gays
HANDY MURRAY Hart appeals in vain to officials after Murray puts Palace in front
Room at the top for Alan.. the king at Palace
She is always on the side of truth and justice; readers will search in vain for the usual excruciating compromises and lesser evils that more mortal politicians are forced to accept.
Norwegian good