Pyrrhic victory

/pˈɪrhɪk vˈɪktəɹˌi/

/pˈɪrhɪk vˈɪktɚɹi/

[noun]

Pyrrhic victory

[NOUN]

a victory achieved at the cost of losing so many things in return

What is the origin of the idiom "Pyrrhic victory" and when to use it?

The phrase "Pyrrhic victory" is named after King Pyrrhus of Epirus, who won a battle against the Romans in 279 BC, but suffered such heavy losses that he was unable to capitalize on his victory and ultimately lost the war. In modern usage, this idiom is often used to describe a situation where a victory is achieved, but at a cost that outweighs the benefits.

Examples

1. So it's a pyrrhic victory for them.

2. There's a definition of a Pyrrhic victory.

3. Pyrrhic victories are victories that you gain-- you still have victory, but it's going to cost you.

4. So this is the Pyrrhic victory concept that has been extracted from the story by a search program.

Nearby words