The Village Idiom

come to nought

The idiom "come to nought" means that something has failed or been unsuccessful, resulting in no positive outcome.

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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.

Where it comes from and how it is used

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.

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.

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.

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