hollow victory
A 'hollow victory' describes a win that feels empty or unsatisfying due to the high costs or lack of real benefits.
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Definition
B2General
(common)A win that provides little satisfaction or benefit because the cost or consequences outweigh the achievement.
Example
- Winning the lawsuit was a hollow victory because the legal fees bankrupted him.
B2General
(common)A success that lacks meaningful value or expected rewards.
Example
- She got the promotion, but it felt like a hollow victory because her workload doubled.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "hollow victory":