PhrasesHub

On a hiding to nothing

    Definitions

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

      • Unlikely to succeed
        Describe a situation or endeavor that has little or no chance of being successful

    Examples of On a hiding to nothing

    • The entrepreneur continued to pour money into the failing business, despite all evidence suggesting that it was on a hiding to nothing.

      In this example, "on a hiding to nothing" means that the business is in a hopeless position and is unlikely to succeed. The expression derives from the traditional British game of hide-and-seek, where "hiding to nothing" refers to hiding in a place where it is impossible to be found. By continuing to invest in such a business, the entrepreneur is wasting their money and resources, as success seems highly improbable.

    • As the mediator attempted to reconcile the two warring factions, it became clear that the situation was on a hiding to nothing.

      This second example refers to a situation that is doomed to fail or lead to a negative outcome. In this case, the mediator is trying to resolve a conflict between two parties, but tensions are high and both sides seem unwilling to compromise. The use of "hiding to nothing" here suggests that any attempts to find a resolution will ultimately be futile.

    • The student crammed for the exam, but deep down, she knew that it was on a hiding to nothing.

      This third example shows how the expression can be used in the context of test-taking. In this case, the student has put in a lot of effort to study for the exam, but she has realistic doubts about her ability to pass. The use of "hiding to nothing" here highlights the feeling of hopelessness and futility that can arise when the odds seem stacked against you.

    • The company's stock prices have been in freefall for weeks, and analysts now suggest that it's on a hiding to nothing.

      In this final example, "on a hiding to nothing" is used to refer to a situation where the outcome is extremely unlikely or unfavourable. In this case, the company's stocks have been decreasing rapidly, and financial experts predict that further losses are inevitable. The use of "hiding to nothing" here suggests that there is no apparent way out of this negative situation.

    • John decided to stop studying for the exam as he felt that he was "on a hiding to nothing." After weeks of diligent preparation, he realized that he still didn't understand most of the concepts. He didn't want to waste any more time and resources on a lost cause.

      "On a hiding to nothing" is a British expression that refers to a situation or effort that is futile or hopeless. It comes from the game of hide-and-seek, where someone who is obviously not hiding but is simply waiting to be found is said to be "on a hiding to nothing." In the example given, John's preparations for the exam were like being "on a hiding to nothing" because he had already exhausted all his study resources and still didn't have a good understanding of the concepts.

    • Sarah invested her life savings in a new startup, but the company was struggling to make a profit. After months of waiting, Sarah began to feel that she was "on a hiding to nothing." She realized that she had put all her eggs in one basket and didn't have a backup plan. She decided to cut her losses and move on to a more promising opportunity.

      In this example, Sarah's investment in the startup was like being "on a hiding to nothing" because she had committed all her resources to it without any realistic expectation of a return. This use of the expression emphasizes the sense of desperation and disappointment that comes with a failed investment.

    • Mark's football team was losing 5-0 to their rivals in the second half of the game, and he felt that they were "on a hiding to nothing." The opposing team was playing aggressively, and Mark's team was struggling to stay in the game. Mark realized that they had already conceded too many goals, and it was unlikely that they would be able to catch up. He decided to substitute some of his tired players and try to salvage what was left of the game.

      In this example, the expression "on a hiding to nothing" is used in the context of a losing position in a sporting event. It highlights the feeling of hopelessness and futility that comes with being behind by a wide margin.

    • Rachel's job interview did not go well, and she started to feel that she was "on a hiding to nothing." She stumbled over her words and didn't answer some of the questions accurately. Rachel realized that she hadn't prepared well enough for the interview and didn't have a good chance of getting the job. She left the interview feeling dejected and unsure of her next steps.

      In this example, Rachel's job interview was like being "on a hiding to nothing" because she had not prepared well enough to succeed. The expression points to the sense of despair and futility that comes with a failed job interview or any other endeavor that appears to have no chance of success.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "on a hiding to nothing" is used to discourage someone from pursuing a particular course of action or to describe a situation with little chance of success. It is often used to caution against wasting time and effort on something that is unlikely to yield any positive results.

    In everyday conversations, this idiom can be used to advise someone against pursuing a risky venture or to describe a situation that is bound to fail. It is a way of expressing skepticism about the potential success of an endeavor and urging caution.

    Origin of "On a hiding to nothing"

    The origin of the idiom "on a hiding to nothing" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in British English. The term "hiding" in this context refers to a severe defeat or punishment, while "nothing" emphasizes the lack of gain or benefit. The idiom may have originated from sports or gambling, where the odds of winning are slim and the potential for loss is high.

    One possible origin of the idiom could be from horse racing, where a competitor has little chance of winning and is said to be "on a hiding to nothing" if they continue to pursue the race. Another theory suggests that it may have originated from the world of boxing, where a fighter is in a position where they are likely to lose without gaining anything in return. Overall, the idiom conveys a sense of futility and the expectation of failure.