lost cause
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As John Steinbeck assured Jackie Kennedy in 1964: “You talked of Scotland as a lost cause and that is not true. Scotland is an unwon cause.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025
If you were considered a lost cause, how were you able to make such a surprising comeback?
From Slate ● Nov. 19, 2025
After staying out to applaud the away end at full-time, he deadpanned that his situation was "a lost cause" when asked if he could turn things around with time.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2025
But nor is it the case that democracy in our country is a lost cause.
From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2025
Still—call it the deepest of desires smack up against a lost cause.
From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti
