[come to nothing] also {formal} [come to naught] {v. phr.} To end in failure; fail; be in vain. * /The dog's attempts to climb the tree after the cat came […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

naught

[naught] See: [GO FOR NOTHING] also [GO FOR NAUGHT]. A Dictionary of American Idioms

go to waste

[go to waste] {v. phr.} To be wasted or lost; not used. * /The strawberries went to waste because there was nobody to pick them./ * /Joe's work on the […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

in vain

[in vain] {adv. phr.} 1. Without effect; without getting the desired result; without success. * /The drowning man called in vain for help./ * /To cry over spilled milk is […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

Recent updates

Deborah Love, poet, Annaghkeen

For an Irishman, talking is a dance.

George Carlin - Importance of our "Stuff"

George Carlin's classic standup routine about the importance of "Stuff" in our lives.

Accent Reduction - Word Stress Lesson

Introductory lesson from Lynn Bo - an American speech therapist. In this video you will learn how a stress can change the word […]

put aside

[put aside] {v. phr.} 1. To save; put something aside for a special purpose. * /Peter puts $100 aside every week./ 2. To […]

talk back

[talk back] also [answer back] {v.} {informal} To answer rudely; reply in a disrespectful way; be fresh. * /When the teacher […]