counsel of despair

/kˈaʊnsəl ɒv dɪspˈeə/

/kˈaʊnsəl ʌv dɪspˈɛɹ/

counsel of despair

an admission of failure that ultimately leads to discouragement and self-doubt

Examples

1. In any event, it seemed to me that if I took their advice to heart, it would be a counsel of despair that would be self-fulfilling.

2. And I just think that's the counsel of despair, actually.