Meanings
From horse racing, hiding (“beating”); to (“as used to express gambling odds”), e.g., 6 to 1. Literally, the phrase can be described as to bet on a contest whose outcome is at worst a beating, or at best nothing. A heavily favored team in a sporting contest earns no credit for victory, but is shamed by defeat; this team is said to be on a hiding to nothing.
How to pronounce "hiding to nothing":
AU
A situation in which victory has little or no value, but defeat has a huge cost.
Example Sentences
1
Going against the team's strongest player is like playing a game of tennis on a hiding to nothing.
2
Trying to convince him to change his mind is a hiding to nothing.
3
She thought she could win the argument, but she was on a hiding to nothing from the start.
4
Running for president with no political experience is like running on a hiding to nothing.
5
Attempting to complete the project in such a short time frame is a hiding to nothing.
