bring to naught

USAGE SUMMARY

"bring to naught" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something has been rendered ineffective or unsuccessful. Example: "Their efforts to negotiate were ultimately brought to naught." Alternative expressions include "nullify" and "render ineffective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"These violations bring to naught the efforts of thousands of our colleagues, who risk their lives to guard public order".

The New York Times

According to the paper, it is the government's attempts to remove protesters from central Kiev that "may bring to naught efforts to organize a round-table discussion between the authorities and the opposition".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The result was the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, where a shrewd strategic plan and vigorous assault were brought to naught by the treachery of Charles Lee.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It brought to naught, for all practical purposes, all the work I had done for a year and a half," he said.

The New York Times

And it could all be brought to naught if the current snarling should lead to a military strike that smashes Iraq's crumbling infrastructure before it can even begin to be repaired.

The Economist

The reign of Pedro II thus came to an unusual end he was overthrown while highly regarded by the people and at the pinnacle of his popularity, and some of his accomplishments were soon brought to naught as Brazil slipped into a long period of weak governments, dictatorships, and constitutional and economic crises.

Wikipedia

Will all this bring prevention to naught?

The New Yorker

"Is this tremendous epic we are now living to bring forth naught but trash unutterable and bombast?" asked the editor of The Round Table, a New York periodical, in 1864.

The New York Times - Books

Khan later felt that the suits' conception had been a mistake since filming occurred during the day; digital adjustments to the suits brought "all the efforts to naught".

Wikipedia

While ICA-SP mostly preserves the data, the application of QUASI-P brings the original alignment to naught.

GigaScience

But for all the switchback plotting, the sudden revelations that bring some earlier plot or plotline to naught, the show never feels too obviously manipulative or out of control.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bring to naught" when you want to emphasize that previous efforts or plans have been completely wasted or rendered useless due to a specific event or action.

Common error

Avoid using "bring to naught" in contexts where efforts were merely slowed or slightly hindered. This phrase implies complete and utter failure, not partial setbacks.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "bring to naught" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of negating or invalidating something. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing how efforts or plans are rendered ineffective.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bring to naught" is a grammatically sound and idiomatic expression meaning to render something ineffective or useless. While correct, it is relatively uncommon in everyday speech, with Ludwig demonstrating its presence more prevalently in news articles, encyclopedias, and formal writing. Its usage is best suited for emphasizing the complete failure of prior efforts, and writers should be mindful of its slightly formal tone. Consider alternatives like "render ineffective" or "nullify" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

render ineffective

Emphasizes the action of making something unable to produce the desired effect.

nullify

Focuses on legally or officially invalidating something.

invalidate

Highlights the act of proving something to be without legal or factual force.

undo

Implies reversing or cancelling the effects of a previous action.

frustrate

Indicates preventing the fulfillment of an effort or desire.

thwart

Suggests actively preventing someone's plans from succeeding.

derail

Focuses on causing something to go off course or fail.

abort

Emphasizes the premature termination of a planned action or project.

cancel out

Highlights the neutralization of one thing by another.

negate

Stresses the act of denying the existence or truth of something.

FAQs

What does "bring to naught" mean?

The phrase "bring to naught" means to cause something to fail or come to nothing; to ruin or frustrate something.

How can I use "bring to naught" in a sentence?

You can use "bring to naught" to describe actions or events that completely negate previous efforts. For example: "The scandal threatened to bring all their hard work to naught."

What are some alternatives to "bring to naught"?

Alternatives include "render ineffective", "nullify", or "invalidate". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "bring to naught" formal or informal?

"Bring to naught" is relatively formal and might be more suitable for written communication or speeches. In casual conversation, you might prefer simpler alternatives like "ruin" or "cancel out".