On a hiding to nothing

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Meaning

Certain to fail, or unable to gain much even if successful. The traditional form ends in 'nothing'. 'Nowhere' is a genuine but later reshaping. Regional use: British English.

Origin

The expression appears in British horse-racing reports around 1900. A 'hiding' is a beating, while 'to nothing' resembles the form of betting odds: the possible outcomes are humiliation or no worthwhile reward. The later substitution 'nowhere' reflects speakers losing sight of the older wording.

Variants

  • A hiding to nothing
  • On a hiding to nowhere

Usage Examples

  • Any referee in that bitter final was on a hiding to nothing before the whistle blew.
  • Without access to the archive, the researchers were on a hiding to nothing.

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