nowhere (redirected from getting nowhere)

*in the middle of nowhere

Fig. in a very remote place. (*Typically: be ~; drive [into] ~; put someone or something [into] ~.) To get to my house, you have to drive into the middle of nowhere. We found a nice place to eat, but it's out in the middle of nowhere.

See also: middle

*out of nowhere

appearing suddenly, without warning. (*Typically: appear ~; come ~; materialize ~.) A huge bear appeared out of nowhere and roared and threatened us. Suddenly, a truck came out of nowhere. Without warning, the storm came out of nowhere.

See also: out

all dressed up and nowhere to go and all dressed up with nowhere to go completely ready for something

that has been postponed or has failed to materialize. (May be literal or figurative.) Tom: I just heard that your company is closed today. Fred: Gee, I'm all dressed up and nowhere to go. The space shot was cancelled, so all the astronauts are all dressed up with nowhere to go.

See also: and, dress, up

at the end of nowhere

Fig. at a remote place; at some distance from civilization. (An exaggeration.) They live way out in the country at the end of nowhere. The police will never find us here, at the end of nowhere.

See also: end

come from nowhere

to come as a surprise with no warning. The dogs came from nowhere and attacked my cat. The whole set of problems came from nowhere. There was no way we could have foreseen them.

See also: come

Flattery will get you nowhere.

Flattering me will not increase your chances of success. A: Gee, you can do almost anything, can't you? B: Probably, but flattery will get you nowhere.

See also: flattery, get

get nowhere fast

Fig. not to make progress; to get nowhere. I can't seem to make any progress. No matter what I do, I'm just getting nowhere fast. Come on. Speed up this car. We're getting nowhere fast.

See also: fast, get

middle of nowhere

a very isolated place. I don't want to stay out here in the middle of nowhere. I was stranded in the middle of nowhere for an hour with a flat tire.

See also: middle

nowhere near

not nearly. We have nowhere near enough wood for the winter. They're nowhere near ready for the game.

See also: near

---

(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

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: and, dress, up

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!

See also: flattery, get

---

(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

go nowhere (fast)

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

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.

See also: found