losing battle, a
a losing battle
A failing or hopeless effort; a situation or activity that is ultimately futile or cannot be won. Most often used in the phrase "fight a losing battle." I'd give up trying to get your brother to agree to this deal if I were you, it looks like a losing battle at this point. You're fighting a losing battle if you think you can convince Sarah to go to college.
See also: battle, losing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
losing battle, a
Also, a losing game. A failing effort or activity. For example, He's fighting a losing battle against putting on weight, or We think his candidacy is a losing game. These expressions, alluding to actual unsuccessful battles or games, have been used figuratively since the early 1600s. Also see lost cause.
See also: losing
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- a losing battle
- losing battle, (to fight) a
- a losing game
- caucus race
- ye
- abandon hope, all ye who enter here
- all hope abandon, ye who enter here
- rearrange (the) deckchairs on the Titanic
- rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic
- shift (the) deckchairs on the Titanic