hiding to nothing

A difficult situation that is unlikely to result in success. Primarily heard in UK. I'm on a hiding to nothing right now trying to persuade my teacher to give me an extra credit assignment.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Beatrix	BE-ah-triks (German), BAY-ah-triks (Dutch), BEE-ə-triks (English)	German, Hungarian, Dutch, English (Rare), Late Roman
Wilhelmina	[.wilə'mi:nə]
Ola (2)	AW-lah	Polish
Garnet (2)	-	English
Kelan	-	Irish
Emeline