fight a losing battle

== English == === Pronunciation === === Verb === fight a losing battle (third-person singular simple present fights a losing battle, present participle fighting a losing battle, simple past and past participle fought a losing battle) (literally) To continue to wage war when it is clear that one is not going to win. (idiomatic, figuratively) To attempt a task or other endeavor in which there is no chance that it will succeed. ==== Synonyms ==== fight a rearguard action