PhrasesHub

Pyrric victory

    Definitions

      • a victory that comes at a great cost
        Describing a win that is achieved at such a high price, such as the loss of many lives or resources, that it is almost not worth celebrating

      • a hollow or empty victory
        Referring to a triumph that brings no real satisfaction or benefit, as the sacrifices made to achieve it outweigh any positive outcome

    Examples of Pyrric victory

    • The team's commanding lead over the opposition seemed like a sure-fire win, but after a series of injuries and missteps, they stumbled across the finishing line, emerging victorious, but at a tremendous cost. This is an example of a Pyrric victory, where the triumph is accompanied by overwhelming losses or consequences.

      The term "Pyrric victory" originates from the Ancient Greek King Pyrrhus, who defeated the Roman army in two battles. However, the victories came at a high cost, as he lost a significant portion of his own troops. The phrase "Pyrrhic victory" has come to denote any triumph that is accompanied by heavy losses or consequences. In this scenario, the team's victory is Pyrrhic due to the exorbitant number of injuries and missteps that significantly weakened the team and resulted in heavy losses.

    • The company's move to acquire a competitor resulted in a strategic victory, but the costs of the acquisition, including hefty debts and integration challenges, put the company in a precarious financial position.

      Here, the company's acquisition of a competitor is an example of a Pyrrhic victory, as the strategic triumph is weighed down by significant losses and consequences, including heavy debts and integration difficulties. This usage of the idiom applies to situations where the triumph is accompanied by a hefty price tag or significant drawbacks.

    • The nation emerged victorious after a protracted conflict, but at the cost of its economy and infrastructure. The country's leaders are now wrestling with rebuilding and recovery efforts while dealing with severe economic and social impacts.

      This scenario is an example of a Pyrrhic victory as the country's victory is accompanied by significant losses and consequences, including an ailing economy and a severely damaged infrastructure. Here, the usage of the idiom highlights situations where the triumph is accompanied by heavy drawbacks that significantly outweigh the benefits.In all these scenarios, the term "Pyrrhic victory" is used to connote victories that are won at an exceptionally high price or with substantial losses.

    • After months of preparation and resources invested, the company's product launch ended in a pyrrhic victory. Although they managed to gain a foothold in the market, the high costs associated with the launch left them in a precarious financial situation, making it a hollow victory at best.

      A pyrrhic victory is a situation where the costs and losses incurred, whether they be financial, emotional, or otherwise, outweigh any gains or advantages achieved. In this case, the company's victory was offset by the significant expenses required to achieve it, leaving them in a difficult position moving forward.

    • The local charity organization's annual fundraiser was a hard-fought pyrrhic victory. While they managed to raise a significant amount of money, the event was plagued with logistical and organizational issues, leaving them with a deficit that will take several years to recover from.

      A pyrrhic victory can result from a variety of circumstances, not just financial ones. In this example, the charity's victory was tempered by the difficulties encountered during the event, which ultimately proved to be more costly than the funds raised.

    • Though their team won the tournament, the players and coaches regarded it as a pyrrhic victory. The match was marred by numerous injuries, leaving them without several key players for the remainder of the season.

      A pyrrhic victory can have unintended consequences that outweigh the initial success achieved. In this example, the team's victory was followed by a string of losses and setbacks, as they struggled to adapt to the absence of their injured players.

    • Despite securing a major political win, the president's approval ratings continued to plummet, making it a pyrrhic victory at best. The victory came at a high price, as the president's reputation and popularity suffered in the aftermath.

      A pyrrhic victory can have political, social, or personal repercussions that ultimately defeat the original purpose or benefit achieved. In this example, the president's victory was overshadowed by the negative consequences it brought about, making it a hollow or, essentially, Pyrrhic victory.

    • The company succeeded in winning a new contract, but it came at a heavy cost. The project required significant resources and resulted in a loss for the company. This situation can be described as a pyrric victory.

      The term "Pyrric victory" originated from a Greek king named Pyrrhus. In one of his battles against the Romans, he emerged victorious, but the cost was so high that he famously quipped, "One more such victory and we are lost!" The meaning of the expression has since come to signify a victory that is only apparent, as the cost of winning is so high that it outweighs the benefits. In the example given, the company may have secured a new contract, but if it resulted in financial losses, then this can be seen as a pyrric victory.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "Pyrrhic victory" is used to describe a win that comes at a significant cost or sacrifice, making it almost not worth celebrating. It can also refer to a triumph that brings no real satisfaction or benefit, as the sacrifices made to achieve it outweigh any positive outcome. In both cases, the victory is tainted by the high price that was paid to achieve it, leaving little to no sense of accomplishment or gain.

    This idiom is often used in discussions about warfare, politics, and business, where the concept of winning at all costs is prevalent. It serves as a warning against pursuing victory at the expense of significant loss or damage, reminding people to consider the true impact of their actions and decisions.

    Origin of "Pyrric victory"

    The idiom "Pyrrhic victory" originates from the ancient Greek King Pyrrhus of Epirus, who suffered heavy losses in defeating the Romans during the Pyrrhic War. Despite his victories, the cost in terms of lives and resources was so great that it ultimately weakened his own forces and led to his downfall. The term "Pyrrhic victory" was later coined to describe any win that comes with such a high cost that it can be seen as a defeat in itself.

    The idiom has since become a widely used expression in English and other languages, serving as a cautionary reminder of the potential consequences of pursuing victory without considering the true price that may be paid. It continues to be a powerful metaphor for the concept of winning at all costs and the need to weigh the true value of success.