losing cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "losing cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or effort that is unlikely to succeed or achieve its intended goal. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the campaign was ultimately a losing cause, as public support dwindled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Washington's fans are cheering hard, but for a losing cause.

The Washington Post

That gave Micro Bridge 12 imps in a losing cause.

The New York Times

Death was noble even in (especially in) a losing cause.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I don't look at it as a losing cause.

The New York Times

A losing cause does not automatically have to become a lost one: Iraq showed that.

The Economist

He knows as well as anyone that many of his efforts are in a losing cause".

The New York Times

As far as the privacy argument goes, libertarians seem to be pursuing a losing cause.

The Economist

Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk scored once in a losing cause for St . Petersburg

The New York Times

This has become a decent knock by the Yorkshireman, albeit almost certainly in a losing cause.

The Guardian - Sport

Being a fugitive in the digital age, or in a losing cause, clearly has its shortfalls.

The Guardian

Jesse Ryder and Tom Westley scored half-centuries in a losing cause for the hosts.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as a "losing cause", consider the emotional impact. Use it to convey a sense of resignation, determination in the face of adversity, or a call for a change in strategy.

Common error

Avoid using "losing cause" when the situation has a small chance of success with significant effort. The phrase implies near-certain failure, so ensure it accurately reflects the situation's prospects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "losing cause" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a situation, effort, or campaign that is highly unlikely to succeed. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts. Examples from Ludwig show it often modifies nouns relating to efforts, campaigns, or arguments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "losing cause" is a commonly used expression to describe a situation or endeavor with a very low probability of success. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance across diverse sources, primarily in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it can sometimes carry connotations of either futility or noble defiance. When writing, be mindful of the emotional context and ensure the phrase accurately reflects the likelihood of failure. Alternative phrases like "futile effort" or "hopeless endeavor" can offer similar meanings with subtle variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Futile effort

Emphasizes the wasted effort involved.

Hopeless endeavor

Highlights the lack of hope for a positive outcome.

Useless attempt

Focuses on the ineffectiveness of the attempt.

Vain struggle

Implies a struggle that yields no results.

Exercise in futility

Highlights the pointless nature of the activity.

Dead end

Suggests the endeavor leads to no progress.

No-win situation

Indicates that any outcome will be unfavorable.

Quixotic quest

Implies an idealistic but impractical pursuit.

Mission impossible

Emphasizes the extreme difficulty and unlikelihood of success.

Sisyphusian task

Draws a parallel to the endless, fruitless labor of Sisyphus.

FAQs

How can I use "losing cause" in a sentence?

You can use "losing cause" to describe an effort or situation that is unlikely to succeed, such as "Despite their passion, their campaign was a "losing cause" from the start".

What's a more formal alternative to "losing cause"?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases like "futile endeavor" or "hopeless situation", which convey a similar meaning with increased sophistication.

Is it always negative to describe something as a "losing cause"?

While generally negative, describing something as a "losing cause" can also highlight the courage or determination of those involved, even if success is unlikely. Sometimes fighting a "losing cause" is seen as morally right.

What are some phrases similar to "losing cause" that emphasize wasted effort?

If you want to emphasize the wasted effort, consider using phrases such as "exercise in futility" or "vain struggle" instead of "losing cause".