in vain
IdiomsExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Van Veen's hard work looked to be in vain as he missed five match darts, but Humphries was equally wasteful and fell to a fourth consecutive loss to the Dutchman.
From BBC
It was not in vain: The tackled fan’s date said “Yes!” according to an Instagram post from Ramona Saavedra who posted a picture with a ring on her finger.
From Los Angeles Times
Problems with the new mobile app have left thousands trying in vain for an appointment while stranded in Mexican border towns, where many have already been waiting for months.
From New York Times
Indeed, technical assessments of the original flight control system show it to have been a botch job that Boeing engineer Curtis Ewbank tried in vain to fix before the plane was certified.
From Seattle Times
"I just want to remind soldiers out there, and airmen, Marines, sailors, anyone else that served, your service was not in vain," Mastriano said.
From Fox News
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
