a losing game



Like this video? Subscribe to our free daily email and get a new idiom video every day!

a losing game

A failing or hopeless effort; a situation or activity that is ultimately futile or cannot be won. (Most often used in the phrase "play a losing game.") I'd give up trying to get your brother to agree to this deal if I were you. It looks like a losing game at this point. You're playing a losing game if you think you can convince Sarah to go to college.
See also: game, losing

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Eneida-Portuguese (Brazilian), Spanish (Latin American)
Gervasius-Ancient Germanic (Latinized)
Alexa
JerriJER-eeEnglish
Bratomil-Medieval Slavic
Eric['erik]