come to nought: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘come to nought’ mean?
The idiom "come to nought" means that something has failed or been unsuccessful, resulting in no positive outcome.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "to no avail" means that someone's efforts or actions have not achieved the desired result or outcome.
The idiom "lead nowhere" means that a situation or action has no positive outcome or result. It implies that the efforts put into something are futile and will not lead to any productive or useful outcome.
The idiom "in vain" means to do something without achieving the desired outcome or result. It emphasizes the futility or lack of success in one's efforts.
The idiom "hiding to nothing" means to be in a situation where one is bound to fail or face certain defeat, regardless of the efforts made. It implies a futile or hopeless endeavor with no chance of success or favorable outcome.
The idiom "here goes nothing" is used when someone is about to attempt something with little expectation of success. It conveys a sense of uncertainty or resignation about the outcome of the action.
The idiom "go wrong" means that something does not go as planned or expected, and results in a failure or a mistake.
The idiom "go to the wall" means to face defeat or failure, often in a financial or competitive context.
The idiom "good for nothing" is used to describe someone or something that is completely useless or lacking in any value or purpose.
The idiom "go nowhere fast" means to make no progress or achieve no results despite putting in a lot of effort or time.
Deciphering the Outcome
The idiom "come to nothing" is closely related to the phrase "come to nought." It shares the same meaning of something not achieving the desired outcome or result. The phrase "come to nothing" is used to describe situations where efforts or plans have ended in failure or disappointment. It conveys a sense of frustration and can be used in various contexts to emphasize the lack of success or accomplishment.
Another related idiom is "bring to nought." This phrase is used to describe the action of causing something to fail or become worthless. It implies that a particular effort or endeavor has been rendered ineffective or pointless. When something has been brought to nought, it suggests that any potential value or significance has been eliminated, leading to a sense of disappointment or futility.
The idiom "to no avail" is also closely related to the concept of "come to nought." It is used to convey the idea that despite efforts or attempts, no positive result or outcome has been achieved. This phrase emphasizes the lack of success or usefulness of a particular action or endeavor, highlighting the frustration or disappointment that comes with such a realization.
Lastly, the idiom "lead nowhere" shares a similar meaning to "come to nought." It describes a situation where efforts, actions, or plans do not progress or result in any meaningful outcome. It conveys the sense that a particular path or course of action has no fruitful destination, leading to a feeling of disappointment or frustration at the lack of progress or accomplishment.
The idiom "come to nought" is a commonly used phrase that conveys a sense of failure or disappointment. It has its roots in Old English and Old Norse and has been used throughout history to describe situations where efforts or plans have not achieved the desired outcome. This phrase is closely related to idioms such as "come to nothing," "bring to nought," "to no avail," and "lead nowhere," all of which express a similar meaning of failure or lack of success. These idioms serve as reminders of the unpredictable nature of life and the possibility of setbacks and disappointments, despite our best efforts.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom come to nought can be used in a sentence:
- Despite his best efforts, all of his plans came to nought.
- The company's expansion plans came to nought when they failed to secure funding.
- They believed their relationship would last forever, but it came to nought.
More "Failure" idioms
