IdiomDaily Life
English
Englisha Pyrrhic victory
Meaning: A win that costs so much it is almost a defeat.
Example: “They won the price war, but it was a Pyrrhic victory: they're nearly bankrupt.”
Origin: King Pyrrhus of Epirus beat the Romans at Heraclea (280 BC) and Asculum (279 BC) but lost so many men that, according to Plutarch, he said another such victory would ruin him.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Une victoire à la Pyrrhus Literally: A Pyrrhic victory
More English idioms
- on one's toes Alert and ready to react.
- left high and dry Stranded or abandoned without help.
- at a snail's pace Very slowly.
- no picnic Not easy or pleasant.
- the lean years A period of hardship and scarcity.
- worship the golden calf To value money and wealth above everything.
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