you can't win

Idioms

Also, you just can't win. Whatever one does is wrong or not enough, as in Every time I block one of the woodchuck's holes, I find another; you just can't win. [First half of 1900s] For a synonym, see damned if I do, damned if I don't.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

So voters be warned: if you’re looking for the perfect chart, you can’t win here.

From BBC • Jun. 18, 2024

“If you can’t win in your home, you can’t win here.”

From Salon • Dec. 29, 2023

“I know you can’t win every single day,” Ishbia said, “but we’re going to try.”

From Washington Times • Feb. 9, 2023

If you can’t win the most important game on your schedule, there will be questions about whether you are the right man for the job.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 26, 2022

“For the most part. My roommate’s kind of an asshole, but you can’t win ’em all, I guess.”

From "Dear Martin" by Nic Stone

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023