# bring to nought

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/bring-to-nought
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To mar; to thwart.

## Examples

- The rain brought our picnic plans to nought.
- A sudden change in the law brought all our hard work to nought, forcing us to start over.
- Despite his years of careful planning and investment, a single market crash brought his entire business empire to nought.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.