brought to nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brought to nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has been rendered ineffective, destroyed, or made insignificant. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team's plans were ultimately brought to nothing by unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It means that all his expensive efforts to smother the beating heart of the Eurosceptics have been brought to nothing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Others more knowledgeable wept that the efforts of so many were brought to nothing by the immoral actions of the greedy and the failure of management.

The Guardian - Sport

Chrysostom appealed his banishment to the bishop of Rome, Pope Innocent I; the latter, with the help of the Western emperor Honorius, attempted to intervene, but his efforts were brought to nothing by Chrysostom's enemies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A new plan for simultaneous thrusts by the Germans toward Warsaw and by the Austrians toward Przemyśl was brought to nothing by the end of October, as the Russians could now mount counterattacks in overwhelming strength, their mobilization being at last nearly completed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He taught some good things, caused some brief excitement, and now was brought to nothing.

Huffington Post

This plan was brought to nothing by the troops stationed in Ticinum, who elected their duke Cleph king, having it in mind to continue Alboin's aggressive policy.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

What George R.R. Martin has brought to Hollywood is nothing less than a true parable of our world.

Huffington Post

Susan is brought to Ramsay Street, but nothing happens.

Wikipedia

This brings to mind nothing quite so much as Wikipedia or YouTube.

The New Yorker

Calamity is all you care about, or see, no happy portents; and you bring to pass nothing agreeable.

The New York Times

And what makes this especially odd to say is that the movie brings to light nothing that the media haven't covered extensively for years.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "brought to nothing", consider whether a more direct synonym like "failed" might be clearer for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "brought to nothing" when a simple setback or minor inconvenience occurs. This phrase conveys a sense of utter failure or obliteration of purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brought to nothing" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating that an effort, plan, or action has been rendered ineffective or has failed completely. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, as evidenced by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brought to nothing" is a grammatically sound and usable idiomatic expression signifying that something has been rendered ineffective or has completely failed. While not the most common phrase, Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its usage spans across diverse contexts like news, encyclopedias, and general writing. It is best employed to underscore a significant lack of positive outcome despite notable effort, distinguishing it from mere setbacks. Related alternatives include "came to naught" and "were in vain", offering nuances in formality and emphasis. Therefore, using "brought to nothing" effectively enhances the impact of expressing utter failure in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came to naught

Similar in meaning, but slightly more archaic or literary.

were in vain

Emphasizes the futility and lack of success in the efforts.

proved fruitless

Highlights the lack of positive outcome or beneficial result.

were unsuccessful

A more straightforward and general way to express the failure of an attempt.

failed to achieve anything

Focuses on the absence of accomplishment or desired result.

were reduced to nothing

Highlights the process of something being diminished or negated.

were nullified

Indicates a formal or legal invalidation of efforts.

ended in failure

Simple statement of a failed outcome.

were defeated

Conveys a sense of being overcome or thwarted.

were thwarted

Stresses the active prevention of success.

FAQs

How can I use "brought to nothing" in a sentence?

The phrase "brought to nothing" describes efforts or plans that have been rendered ineffective or have failed completely. For example: "Despite their meticulous planning, their efforts were "brought to nothing" by unforeseen circumstances."

What does "brought to nothing" mean?

It means that something has been rendered ineffective, destroyed, or made insignificant. Synonyms include "came to naught", "were in vain", or "proved fruitless".

Is it better to use "brought to nothing" or "brought to naught"?

"Brought to naught" is an older, more literary version of "brought to nothing". Both are grammatically correct, but ""brought to nothing"" is more commonly used in modern English.

What's the difference between "brought to nothing" and "achieved nothing"?

"Brought to nothing" implies that there was an attempt or plan that was actively undermined or failed significantly, while "achieved nothing" simply states the absence of success without necessarily implying prior effort or intent.