The phrase "labor in vain" is a common expression used to describe a situation where one's efforts are futile or pointless. The word "labor" is spelled with the letter "o" in the American English spelling, but in British English it is spelled with the letter "ou" as "labour". The IPA phonetic transcription for "labor" is /ˈleɪ.bər/, with the stress on the first syllable. This phrase originates from the Bible, specifically 1 Corinthians 15:58, where it is written "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
Labor in vain is a phrase that describes the futile or unproductive effort exerted by an individual or a group towards achieving a particular goal or outcome. It represents a situation where one's hard work, time, and energy go to waste due to the lack of success or accomplishment.
When someone labors in vain, they dedicate themselves earnestly to a task or project, hoping to achieve positive results, but ultimately experience disappointment and frustration. This can occur due to various reasons, such as unforeseen obstacles, inadequate skills or resources, or the absence of favorable circumstances.
The phrase implies that despite investing significant effort and diligently working towards an objective, the desired outcome remains elusive, rendering the labor unproductive or unrewarding. It often conveys a sense of disappointment and pessimism resulting from the realization that one's endeavors have ultimately been in vain.
Moreover, labor in vain can also refer to situations where attempts to change or influence someone's beliefs, attitudes, or behavior are unsuccessful. It suggests that despite sincere efforts and persuasive arguments, one fails to achieve their intended goal of altering the mindset or actions of another person.
In summary, labor in vain describes the fruitless or ineffective toil put into a task or endeavor, resulting in a lack of success, accomplishment, or the desired outcome. It connotes a sense of wasted effort, disappointment, and the absence of tangible results.