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
Yuri (2)	yoo-ṙee	Japanese
Darby	DAHR-bee	English
Stefania	ste-FAH-nyah (Italian), ste-FAHN-yah (Polish)	Italian, Polish
Theokleia	-	Ancient Greek
Janice	['dʒænis]
DobrosŁAw	daw-BRAW-swahf	Polish