Is 'lost cause' always negative?

Yes, it carries a negative, hopeless connotation. It can sometimes be used humorously or affectionately about minor failings.

Can it refer to a person?

Yes, often used to describe someone considered beyond help or reform (e.g., 'He's a lost cause when it comes to punctuality').

What is the origin of the phrase?

Originally used in a military context ('a lost cause' referring to a defeated army or campaign). Popularised in the US post-Civil War regarding the Confederacy.

Is it formal or informal?

It is informal and idiomatic. In formal writing, alternatives like 'futile endeavour' or 'hopeless case' may be preferred.

lost cause

UK/ˌlɒst ˈkɔːz/US/ˌlɔːst ˈkɑːz/

Informal

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A person, project, or effort that has no chance of success or improvement.

Any hopeless situation, belief, or endeavour considered futile; can refer to political movements, personal relationships, or outdated ideas.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Highly figurative and evaluative; expresses the speaker's subjective judgment of hopelessness, often with resignation or frustration.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning. Slightly more prevalent in American political commentary.

Connotations

Similar connotations of futility and wasted effort in both varieties.

Frequency

Comparable frequency in both BrE and AmE.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

a lost causeproved to be a lost causefighting for a lost cause

medium

consider something a lost causewrite off as a lost cause

weak

hopeless lost causecomplete lost cause

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[Subject] is/was a lost cause.to consider [Object] a lost cause.to give up on [Object] as a lost cause.

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

doomed endeavourpointless exercise

Neutral

hopeless casefutile effort

Weak

difficult situationunlikely success

Vocabulary

Antonyms

viable propositionhopeful casepromising venture

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“flogging a dead horse (similar concept)”
“banging one's head against a brick wall”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Referring to failing projects or unprofitable divisions.

Academic

Used in historical/political analysis of failed movements.

Everyday

Describing attempts to change someone's stubborn habits.

Technical

Rare; may appear in military strategy or game theory.

Examples

By Part of Speech

adjective

British English

He's a lost-cause candidate.

American English

It was a lost-cause project from the start.

Examples

By CEFR Level

Trying to make him tidy his room is a lost cause.

The campaign to save the old factory was sadly a lost cause.

Many political analysts now view the proposed legislation as a lost cause, unlikely to gain bipartisan support.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a 'cause' (a purpose) that is 'lost' – you can't find success because it doesn't exist.

Conceptual Metaphor

EFFORT IS A JOURNEY; a lost cause is a destination that cannot be reached.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid direct calque 'потерянная причина'. Use 'безнадёжное дело' or 'проигранное дело'.

Common Mistakes

Using 'lost case' (incorrect). Treating it as a verb phrase instead of a compound noun.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After the third failed attempt, she realised it was a .

Multiple Choice

In which context is 'lost cause' LEAST appropriate?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, it carries a negative, hopeless connotation. It can sometimes be used humorously or affectionately about minor failings.
: Yes, often used to describe someone considered beyond help or reform (e.g., 'He's a lost cause when it comes to punctuality').
: Originally used in a military context ('a lost cause' referring to a defeated army or campaign). Popularised in the US post-Civil War regarding the Confederacy.
: It is informal and idiomatic. In formal writing, alternatives like 'futile endeavour' or 'hopeless case' may be preferred.