fight a losing battle
To attempt a task or other endeavor in which there is no chance that it will succeed.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He is fighting a losing battle trying to fix that old car.”
“The company is fighting a losing battle against its much larger competitors in the market.”
“Despite his best efforts to restore the crumbling foundation, he realized he was fighting a losing battle against the relentless passage of time.”
- 01
be someone's to lose
To be anticipated to be won by someone.
- 02
bun fight
A debate or disagreement, usually with several parties involved, often political in nature.
- 03
fight fire with fire
To respond to an attack with a similar or identical counter-attack (e.g. to respond to gunfire with reciprocal gunfire).
- 04
fight fires
To deal with urgent matters and minor emergencies rather than longer-term work.
- 05
fight for one's life
To be in danger of dying (as a result of injury, illness etc.).
- 06
fight one's corner
To vigorously promote or defend one's interests, views, etc.
- 07
fight shy
To avoid meeting at a close distance or at close quarters; to keep out of reach, to avoid.
- 08
lose face
To lose the respect of others; to be humiliated or experience public disgrace.
Last updated August 10, 2026