How Do You Spell FORLORN HOPE?

Pronunciation: [fˈɔːlɔːn hˈə͡ʊp] (IPA)

Forlorn hope may seem like a confusing term, but it's simply spelled as it sounds. Its pronunciation is /fɔrˈlɔrn həʊp/ and it originates from the Dutch phrase "verloren hoop" about soldiers who were sent on dangerous missions with little chance of success. The word "forlorn" means sad and abandoned, while "hope" suggests an expectation for a favorable outcome. Together, "forlorn hope" describes a desperate circumstance, conveying a sense of hopelessness when it is used to describe people's prospects.

FORLORN HOPE Meaning and Definition

1. Forlorn hope is a term that originated in military parlance, referring to a group of soldiers who were assigned a particularly dangerous or desperate mission. The term itself is derived from the Dutch phrase "verloren hoop," meaning "lost troop." It describes a small, elite unit of soldiers who were often sent on suicidal missions with little chance of success, but who were expected to carry out their duty nonetheless.

   This term has since expanded beyond its military origins and is now utilized in a broader sense. In a general context, it is used to depict a situation or endeavor that seems bleak, hopeless, or forlorn. It suggests an absence of optimism and a dour outlook on the likelihood of success. When faced with a forlorn hope, individuals are confronted with tremendous difficulties and obstacles, with little expectation of overcoming them.

   Moreover, the term "forlorn hope" can also refer to a person who feels abandoned, forsaken, or emotionally isolated. It signifies a sense of despair and loneliness, typically resulting from a lack of fulfillment, loss, or rejection. In this sense, a forlorn hope encapsulates the feeling of being left behind or cast aside, experiencing a profound sense of desolation.

   Overall, whether used to describe military missions, bleak situations, or emotional states, "forlorn hope" conveys a sense of adversity, hopelessness, and the direness of a given circumstance.

Common Misspellings for FORLORN HOPE

• dorlorn hope
• corlorn hope
• vorlorn hope
• gorlorn hope
• torlorn hope
• rorlorn hope
• firlorn hope
• fkrlorn hope
• flrlorn hope
• fprlorn hope
• f0rlorn hope
• f9rlorn hope
• foelorn hope
• fodlorn hope
• foflorn hope
• fotlorn hope
• fo5lorn hope
• fo4lorn hope
• forkorn hope

Etymology of FORLORN HOPE

The term "forlorn hope" originated from Dutch military terminology. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Dutch used the phrase "verloren hoop", which translates to "lost troop" or "lost crew". "Verloren" means "lost" or "forlorn", and "hoop" translates to "troop" or "crew". It referred to a group of soldiers or sailors deliberately sent on a hazardous mission or into a desperate situation, where their chances of survival were slim. The term eventually made its way into English as "forlorn hope", maintaining its original meaning.

Idioms with the word FORLORN HOPE

• a forlorn hope The idiom "a forlorn hope" refers to a situation or undertaking that is considered extremely difficult, dangerous, or unlikely to succeed. It is often used to describe a desperate or last-ditch effort to achieve something against overwhelming odds. The phrase originated from a military term, where a "forlorn hope" referred to a group of soldiers who were assigned a highly perilous mission, likely resulting in heavy casualties.
• forlorn hope A "forlorn hope" is a situation or plan that is almost certain to fail and result in disappointment or defeat.

Similar spelling words for FORLORN HOPE

• forlornness,
• forlornly.