to little purpose

Idioms  

1. Also, to no purpose. Of little or no use, in vain, as in Hiring a new lawyer will be to little purpose. The related phrases are sometimes combined in to little or no purpose and used as a general indicator of futility. To little purpose was first recorded in 1560. For a synonym, see to no avail; also see to good purpose.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

to little purpose

The Royal Court's publicists have been discreet about the subject of Joe Penhall's new play, but to little purpose.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 30, 2012

Unlike, say, The Turn Of The Screw, where the uncertainty is unsettling, here it just feels as if we are being led along to little purpose.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 11, 2010

Tens of thousands more soldiers did go, to little purpose; most of them also escaped although large numbers did not.

From New York Times ● Apr. 30, 2010

Often these changes dislocate students and teachers to little purpose.

From Time Magazine Archive

The endlessly turning wheels of oxidation within the mitochondria would turn to little purpose if it were not for this all- important result.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson