# to little avail

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/to-little-avail
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

With little success or benefit.

## Examples

- 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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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.