to no effect

[phrase]

to no effect

[PHRASE]

not yielding the expected result

Examples

1. You press it several more times, still to no effect.

2. She moved where she was building in the classroom, to no effect.

3. However unlike a demon he cannot be harmed by religious symbols or holy water, and the practice of true faith seems to have little to no effect on deterring his persistent attacks.

4. Aemilius’ main force was now closing in, and the swarm of velites and other skirmishers threw their missiles at the phalanx, mostly to no effect.