to no effect

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Meaning of "to no effect"

Meaning

The idiom "to no effect" is used to describe a situation in which someone has made an effort but has not been able to achieve the desired outcome. It is used to indicate that despite the effort, the desired result was not achieved, and nothing was achieved in the end.

Etymology

The phrase "to no effect" has its roots in Latin. The word effectus, meaning “effect”, is derived from the Latin verb efficere, meaning “to make.” The derivation of the phrase “to no effect” expression likely stems from the notion that despite the attempted effort, nothing was “made” or achieved.

Usage

The idiom "to no effect" is typically used in a negative context, to express that the effort made was not successful, and no result was achieved. It is usually used to emphasize how the efforts were wasted or ineffectual. It can be used to describe situations that are out of one’s control, or when the effort has been in vain.

Example Sentences

• He attempted to fix the problem, but to no effect.
• She tried her best to get him to listen, but it was to no effect.
• We spent all day searching for a solution, but it was to no effect.
• He worked hard to make the project succeed, but to no effect.
• She tried to reason with him, but it was to no effect.

Idioms with similar meaning

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.