Trying to win that argument is a hiding to nothing.
hiding to nothing
idiomA situation in which victory has little or no value, but defeat has a huge cost.
Origin
disputed originFrom horse racing, hiding (“beating”); to (“as used to express gambling odds”), e.g., 6 to 1. Literally, the phrase can be described as to bet on a contest whose outcome is at worst a beating, or at best nothing. A heavily favoured team in a sporting contest earns no credit for victory, but is shamed by defeat; this team is said to be on a hiding to nothing.
The manager knew that taking on the project with such a small budget was a hiding to nothing.
By challenging the board of directors without any evidence, the young executive realized he was on a hiding to nothing and quietly withdrew his proposal.
- 01
come to nothing
To fail completely; to have no result.
- 02
dance on nothing
To be hanged.
- 03
here goes nothing
Indicates a lack of confidence or certainty about the activity about to be tried.
- 04
if nothing else
At the very least; as a minimum.
- 05
much ado about nothing
A lot of fuss or bother about something trivial.
- 06
nothing doing
Absolutely not; definitely no.
- 07
nothing for it
No alternative; nothing else to be done or to have recourse to.
- 08
nothing if not
Certainly; definitely; (sometimes also obliquely) thoroughly; wholly; to a high degree; extremely.