To little/no purpose
phrase
With no effective result; in vain.
She tried to convince them to reform, but it was to little purpose.
Often appears as...
- worked to little purpose
- tried to little purpose
phrase
Useless; without a meaningful or impactful outcome.
His attempts to learn the new system were to no purpose.
Often appears as...
- strive to no purpose
- attempt to no purpose
phrase
With no effective result; in vain.
She tried to convince them to reform, but it was to little purpose.
Often appears as...
- worked to little purpose
- tried to little purpose
phrase
Useless; without a meaningful or impactful outcome.
His attempts to learn the new system were to no purpose.
Often appears as...
- strive to no purpose
- attempt to no purpose
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Effort Wasted
Used to express efforts that fail to achieve their intended result.
He studied all night to little purpose, since the exam was postponed.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Negativity
Implies disappointment or disillusionment with the outcome.
Their negotiations continued to little purpose.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Literal
Sometimes used figuratively to express futility, not just physically doing something.
Arguing about the past is to little purpose.
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