English Expression · Intermediate
lost cause
A person or thing that is hopeless or futile
Pronunciation: say lost cause
Meaning
A person or thing that is hopeless or futile.
Example
He has already made up his mind, and it's a lost cause to try to change it.
He has already made up his mind, and it's a lost cause to try to change it.
Practice tips
- Practice lost cause out loud — read the pronunciation guide above and repeat.
- Use it in your own sentence today; reuse beats rereading.
- Pay attention to context: this English expression is for intermediate-level learners.