lost cause

noun

1. a cause that has been defeated or whose defeat is inevitable.

lost cause

noun

1. a cause with no chance of success

Word History and Origins

Origin of lost cause¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Idioms and Phrases

A hopeless undertaking, as in Trying to get him to quit smoking is a lost cause . In the 1860s this expression was widely used to describe the Confederacy. [Mid-1800s] Also see losing battle .

Example Sentences

“They’re looking at all this information and saying this is a lost cause.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Samaritans passed a small shrine to St. Jude — the patron saint of lost causes — on the Mexico side.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, people grabbed prayer cards with Alatorre’s photo on one side and his favorite saint, St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of lost causes, on the other.

From Los Angeles Times

We're interested to hear groups of people arguing about what they think of the characters and the lost causes and solutions, or the exit ways they have along the way, without spoiling anything.

From Salon

It’s bold thinking, for sure, and it might become a lost cause.

From Seattle Times