a losing game

a losing game

A failing or hopeless effort; a situation or activity that is ultimately futile or cannot be won. (Most often used in the phrase "play a losing game.") I'd give up trying to get your brother to agree to this deal if I were you. It looks like a losing game at this point. You're playing a losing game if you think you can convince Sarah to go to college.
See also: game, losing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • a losing battle
  • losing battle, (to fight) a
  • losing battle, a
  • caucus race
  • move (the) deckchairs on the Titanic
  • rearrange (the) deckchairs on the Titanic
  • rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic
  • shift (the) deckchairs on the Titanic
  • deckchairs
  • be like rearranging (the) deckchairs on the Titanic