to little avail
With little success or benefit.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I tried to fix the broken lock, but to little avail.”
“He searched the entire house for his missing keys, but his efforts were to little avail.”
“Despite the government's repeated attempts to stabilize the economy through new regulations, their efforts proved to little avail as inflation continued to rise.”
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a little bird told me
I received the information from a source which I am not prepared to disclose.
- 02
a little bit of bread and no cheese
Used to represent the song of the yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella).
- 03
a little from column A, a little from column B
A combination of two factors or reasons.
- 04
a little of something goes a long way
Only a small amount of something is usually required to produce a great effect.
- 05
in one's own little way
In an individual manner that creates an effect from a small action.
- 06
little emperor
In contemporary China, a child with no siblings who is regarded as overly protected and spoiled. (Seen as belonging to a generation which is a product of China's "one-child" policy.)
- 07
little girl
One's daughter.
- 08
little hand
Synonym of hour hand (on a clock face).
Last updated August 10, 2026