be on a hiding to nothing

be on a hiding to nothing

slang To be likely to fail; to be in a futile situation. You're on a hiding to nothing if you think you're going to get a raise out of the boss. You really think you'd survive being stranded in the wilderness for a week with no food? Yeah, right! You'd be on a hiding to nothing! I'm amazed he was able to get that legislation passed—I thought for sure he was on a hiding to nothing!

See also: hide, nothing, on, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

be on a ˌhiding to ˈnothing

(British English, informal) have no hope of succeeding, whatever happens: The Government is on a hiding to nothing in these elections.

See also: hide, nothing, on, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017