be on a hiding to nothing

be on a hiding to nothing

slang To be likely to fail; to be in a futile situation. You're on a hiding to nothing if you think you're going to get a raise out of the boss.See also: hide, nothing, on

be on a ˌhiding to ˈnothing

(British English, informal) have no hope of succeeding, whatever happens: The Government is on a hiding to nothing in these elections.See also: hide, nothing, on