🗓️ Idiom: A Pyrrhic Victory (n)
💬 Meaning
- A win that comes at such a high cost it feels like a loss.
- Success that causes more harm than good.
🧠 Example Sentences
- The company won the legal battle, but the damage to its reputation made it a Pyrrhic victory.
- They avoided environmental fines by cutting corners, but the public backlash turned their win into a Pyrrhic victory.
- Approving the project without community support was a Pyrrhic victory for the board of directors.
🏛️ Origin
This idiom comes from King Pyrrhus of Epirus, who defeated the Romans in battle but lost so many soldiers that the victory was not worth it. Today, it means a costly or hollow win.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
The company won the contract, but the loss of employee trust made it a ________.
Answer
Pyrrhic victory
2. Multiple choice:
What is a Pyrrhic victory?
a) A quick win with no effort
b) A win at great cost
c) A surprising win against a strong rival
Answer
b) A at great cost
3. Change the sentence using “Pyrrhic victory”:
“The company gained and lost customers with their new green image.”
Answer
The company had a Pyrrhic victory with their new green image.
ℹ️ Other Useful Pages
Rob is a CELTA qualified English teacher with 15 years of international experience. He has a BSc and PGDip from Loughborough and St Andrews universities in the UK. He has taught in Thailand and Saudi Arabia and now works with professionals worldwide.
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