empty-handed

Unfortunately, experts have looked everywhere from lagoons to abandoned silver mines and still come up empty-handed.

In other words, the Hispanic Caucus emerged from the meeting empty-handed.

The mission was unsuccessful as he returned home “empty-handed.”

After intensive coverage on both, most reporters and partisan investigators came away empty-handed.

Coming up empty-handed for conservatives on both would have broader ramifications.

An hour passed, and it was growing dark when Weston scrambled up the hillside empty-handed.

He knew that those Ducks would not come back again that night, and that once more he must go home empty-handed.

They all seemed to enjoy the interview, for they came out with smiling faces, and not empty-handed either.

He always returned empty-handed, and Nannie watched with an impish smile from an upper window.

Frequently the hunters came home empty-handed or bringing only small game.