lost cause

noun
UK: /ˌlɒst ˈkɔːz/
US: /ˌlɔːst ˈkɔːz/

  1. A hopeless situation or endeavor that is certain to fail.

    1. Trying to fix this old car is a lost cause.
    2. Negotiating with him is a lost cause because he never compromises on anything.

  2. A person or thing that is unlikely to succeed or be improved.

    1. He's a lost cause, always getting into trouble.
    2. The project was deemed a lost cause after numerous failed attempts to secure funding.
lost cause adjective

  1. Describing something that has no chance of succeeding or being achieved.

    1. It's a lost cause trying to convince him.
    2. Arguing with her about politics is a lost cause; she's firmly set in her ways.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "lost cause" in English means: A hopeless situation or endeavor that is certain to fail., A person or thing that is unlikely to succeed or be improved..

The phonetic transcription of "lost cause" is /ˌlɒst ˈkɔːz/ in British English and /ˌlɔːst ˈkɔːz/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Example usage of "lost cause": "Trying to fix this old car is a lost cause.". More examples on the page.