# no joy

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/no-joy
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A negative outcome; no success; a failure.

## Examples

- I tried to call the office, but I had no joy.
- We searched everywhere for the missing keys, but we had no joy and had to call a locksmith.
- Despite his persistent efforts to persuade the board to reconsider the proposal, he ultimately found no joy in his endeavor.

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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.