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be on a hiding to nothing
be on a hiding to nothing
slang To be likely to fail; to be in a futile situation. Primarily heard in UK. You're on a hiding to nothing if you think you're going to get a raise out of the boss.
be on a hiding to nothing
(British informal) to be in a situation where it is impossible to succeed We were on a hiding to nothing trying to get more money out of the government.