to little/good/some/no purpose
to good purpose
To something's most positive, most effective, or most beneficial utility. Twenty years later, he's finally putting those programming skills to good purpose, designing tracking software for local park rangers to help combat poaching. The seminar aims to help people channel their negative emotions and impulses to good purpose, translating that energy into creative expression. Yeah, I was laid off, but I turned my time off to good purpose and traveled the world.
to little purpose
To no or an insignificant amount of usefulness or utility. That art degree has been put to little purpose, as I ended up getting a job as an accounts manager for a financial firm. HR is insisting that we all attend these meetings, but they're to little purpose if you ask me.
to no purpose
To no or an insignificant amount of usefulness or utility. That art degree has been put to no purpose, as I ended up getting a job as an accounts manager for a financial firm. HR is insisting that we all attend these meetings, but they're to no purpose if you ask me.
to some purpose
To some significant amount of usefulness or utility. I'm just glad to be putting this degree to some purpose after all these years. I'd be more enthusiastic about these meetings if I thought they were to some purpose other than to tick a box for HR.
See also: purpose
to good purpose
To effective use, as in A donation to the homeless shelter will be put to good purpose. This idiom was first recorded in 1553. Also see to little or no purpose.
to little purpose
Also, to no purpose. Of little or no use, in vain, as in Hiring a new lawyer will be to little purpose. The related phrases are sometimes combined in to little or no purpose and used as a general indicator of futility. To little purpose was first recorded in 1560. For a synonym, see to no avail; also see to good purpose.
to little/good/some/no ˈpurpose
(formal) with little, good, etc. result or effect: Another meeting was held, to little purpose. ♢ She had used the profits to good purpose and upgraded their software.to good purpose
With good results.