nowhere (redirected from get nowhere)

be all dressed up and/with nowhere to go

to be dressed and ready to go somewhere nice, but not have anywhere to go. Rob rang up and said he had to work late, so there I was, all dressed up with nowhere to go.

See also: all, dress

Flattery will get you nowhere. (humorous)

something that you say to someone in order to tell them that their praise will not persuade you to do anything that you do not want to do. Well, I'm glad you liked the meal, but flattery will get you nowhere!

(out) in the middle of nowhere

in a place that is far away from where most people live. I'll need a map to find that pub - it's out in the middle of nowhere, apparently.

See also: middle

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go nowhere (fast)

to not progress. This debate is going nowhere — we're no closer to a solution than we were when it started. Chloe's job at the health department was going nowhere fast.

(out) in the middle of nowhere

in a place that is far away from where most people live. We spent a wonderful year living on a farm in the middle of nowhere.

See also: middle

nowhere near

not in any way. It was a long list and it was nowhere near complete. The movie was nowhere near as bad as Erin said it was. Holzman was nowhere near the player Carey is.

Usage notes: used for emphasis

See also: near

nowhere to be found

not able to be seen. There were several high-tech devices in the room, but the instructions were nowhere to be found.