forlorn hope
noun
1
: a body of men selected to perform a perilous service
2
: a desperate or extremely difficult enterprise
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Rather, the real purpose is a forlorn hope to make Iran a strategic partner of sorts. 
Sean Durns, National Review, 5 Mar. 2022 The study strongly suggests that relying on military rapid response units to save diplomats is a forlorn hope. Michael Peck, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2021 This seems to be Blue and White’s favored option, though it is based on a forlorn hope. Bernard Avishai, The New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2019 However, expecting the Croatian soccer authorities to act the right way in such a situation was always going to be a forlorn hope. Martin Rogers, USA TODAY, 9 July 2018 Seeing as Croatia are already through to the last 16, this may turn out to be a forlorn hope. SI.com, 22 June 2018 The Uruguayans needed to win to overhaul their rivals in the group, though victory seemed a forlorn hope. SI.com, 24 Feb. 2018 More and more, this is looking like a forlorn hope. Michael Hiltzik, chicagotribune.com, 7 Sep. 2017 See More
Sean Durns, National Review, 5 Mar. 2022 The study strongly suggests that relying on military rapid response units to save diplomats is a forlorn hope. Michael Peck, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2021 This seems to be Blue and White’s favored option, though it is based on a forlorn hope. Bernard Avishai, The New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2019 However, expecting the Croatian soccer authorities to act the right way in such a situation was always going to be a forlorn hope. Martin Rogers, USA TODAY, 9 July 2018 Seeing as Croatia are already through to the last 16, this may turn out to be a forlorn hope. SI.com, 22 June 2018 The Uruguayans needed to win to overhaul their rivals in the group, though victory seemed a forlorn hope. SI.com, 24 Feb. 2018 More and more, this is looking like a forlorn hope. Michael Hiltzik, chicagotribune.com, 7 Sep. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
by folk etymology from Dutch verloren hoop, literally, lost band
First Known Use
1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1