Hiding to nothing - On a

Definitions

• discourage someone
  Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

• inevitable failure
  Describe a situation where success is impossible or very unlikely, often due to unfavorable circumstances or the odds being stacked against someone

Examples of Hiding to nothing - On a

• The thief tried hiding behind the thin curtains, but it was useless - he was hiding to nothing on a sunny day.

  The expression "hiding to nothing" means that the person's attempt to hide is futile or completely pointless. In this example, the thief was trying to remain unseen behind the curtains, but it was probably too bright outside, making it impossible for him to conceal himself. By using "on a sunny day," the speaker emphasizes the futility of the thief's efforts. Overall, the expression highlights the ridiculousness of the thief's thinly veiled attempt to hide.

• The agent's cover was blown when the suspect spotted him hiding to nothing in the bushes.

  This usage of "hiding to nothing" implies that the agent's attempt to hide was so inadequate and unsuccessful that it was effectively useless. In the context of the example, the suspect discovered the agent concealed in the bushes, suggesting that the place was not a particularly secure location to hide, and the agent's efforts to remain unseen were fruitless. This expression sheds light on the inadequacy of the agent's hiding skills, exposing him as a weak and ineffective operative.

• The actor's panic was palpable as she realized she was hiding to nothing when the spotlight caught her.

  This usage of "hiding to nothing" denotes the actor's futile and unsuccessful attempt to remain hidden as the audience and cameras caught her. In other words, the actor's concealment was utterly ineffective, leaving her exposed and vulnerable. The phrase "hiding to nothing" helps describe the actor's deepening sense of distress and panic, which escalates until the spotlight shines upon her. Overall, the expression highlights the actor's inability to remain undetected, accentuating the scrutiny and intensity of the scene.

• The president's plan to hide to nothing in a bunker during the riot only exacerbated the perception of his weakness and fear.

  This usage of "hiding to nothing" implies that the president's attempt to remain concealed was both unsuccessful and discouraging. In other words, the president's efforts to remain unseen were so ineffective that they served to bolster suspicions of his weakness and fear. This expression sheds light on the president's cowardly response to the riot, which merely compounded the negative perception of his administration. It shows the president's ineptitude and highlights his ineffective leadership.

• The burglar tried to hide behind the curtains, thinking he was blending in with the wallpaper, but it was a futile attempt as the police were already in the room.

  In this example, "hiding to nothing" is used to describe a useless or futile attempt at concealment, as the burglar's hiding spot offered little cover and the police were already present in the room.

• Despite putting up posters and flyers around the neighborhood, the missing person's case went cold, and the search party felt like they were hiding to nothing.

  In this example, "hiding to nothing" is used to describe a sense of feeling hopeless and helpless during a search, as the search party was not finding any leads or clues to follow.

• The teacher scolded the students for chattering, warning them that if they didn't stop, they would be hiding to nothing during the upcoming exam.

  In this example, "hiding to nothing" is used as a metaphor for being unprepared or underprepared for an exam, as the students would have wasted their time and effort during the study period by engaging in distracting conversations.

• The supervisor dismissed the employee's excuses for not meeting the deadline, stating that he was hiding to nothing by blaming external factors instead of taking responsibility for the delay.

  In this example, "hiding to nothing" is used to describe a person's attempt to shift the blame or responsibility for a failure onto external factors, rather than accepting accountability and taking action to rectify the situation.

Conclusion

The idiom "hiding to nothing - on a" is used to discourage someone from pursuing a certain task or activity due to the belief that it will not lead to any positive outcome or benefit. It is also used to describe a situation of inevitable failure, where success is highly unlikely due to unfavorable circumstances or the odds being stacked against someone.

In both cases, the idiom is used to convey a sense of futility and hopelessness, warning against wasting time and effort on something that is doomed to fail. It serves as a cautionary phrase to advise against pursuing a course of action that is unlikely to yield any positive results.

Origin of "Hiding to nothing - On a"

The origin of the idiom "hiding to nothing - on a" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in British English. The phrase "hiding to nothing" may have originated from the idea of hiding in a place where there is no chance of success or victory, similar to the expression "hiding in plain sight." The addition of "on a" further emphasizes the idea of being on a path that leads to inevitable failure.

The idiom is commonly used in British English and may have originated in sports or gambling contexts, where the odds of success or victory are clearly stacked against someone. Over time, it has become a popular phrase used to convey the idea of pursuing a course of action with little to no chance of success.