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go for nothing

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go for nothing

 

1. Lit. [for something] to be done for no purpose. All our work went for nothing. Our efforts at helping out went for nothing.

2. Fig. [for something] to be sold for a very low price. This merchandise can go for nothing; let's just clear it out at 90 percent off. I don't want this good stuff to just go for nothing.

See also: nothing

go for nothing

Be useless, serve no purpose. For example, He lost the case, so all our efforts on his behalf went for nothing. [Late 1500s] Also see go for, def. 2.

See also: nothing