The phrase "brings to naught" means to render something useless or ineffective. It is pronounced as /brɪŋs tuː nɔːt/ using the International Phonetic Alphabet. The sound "br" is pronounced with a voiced bilabial fricative or /b/ followed by a voiced alveolar nasal sound or /r/. The word "naught" is spelled with a silent "gh", but the "au" is pronounced with an open back unrounded vowel or /ɔː/. The final "t" is pronounced with an unvoiced alveolar plosive or /t/.
The phrase "brings to naught" refers to a situation where one's efforts, plans, or endeavors end up becoming futile or completely ineffective, ultimately resulting in a failure to achieve the desired outcome. It conveys the idea of rendering something completely useless or irrelevant.
When an attempt "brings to naught," it means that all the time, energy, and resources invested in the endeavor have been wasted and lead to no significant results. It suggests that despite one's best intentions and efforts, circumstances or unforeseen obstacles prevail, rendering the entire venture pointless or unsuccessful.
The phrase implies a sense of disappointment or frustration, highlighting the disappointment felt by the individual or group who put in significant effort but, unfortunately, were unable to accomplish their objective. Moreover, it carries a connotation of finality, suggesting that the situation cannot be easily reversed or rectified.
The expression "brings to naught" can be used in various contexts, such as describing a failed business venture, a thwarted plan, an unsuccessful project, or an unfruitful attempt at solving a problem. Its usage emphasizes the outcome rather than the process, focusing on the ultimate failure or lack of accomplishment despite one's initial hopes or exertions.