PYRRHIC VICTORY Meaning and
Definition
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A pyrrhic victory is a term derived from the ancient Greek general Pyrrhus of Epirus, reflecting a tactical success that comes at such a high cost that it is tantamount to defeat. The phrase describes a situation where a person, group, or entity has achieved a victory or success, but does so with such immense losses or negative consequences that the triumph becomes meaningless or insignificant. It is often used in contexts where the achieved goals are overshadowed by the heavy toll incurred.
A pyrrhic victory implies that the price paid for the victory is so great that it undermines the very purpose of achieving it. The term is commonly applied in different arenas, including military, politics, sports, and personal relationships. In a military context, for instance, a pyrrhic victory could refer to a battle or campaign that the victor has won but at a cost of significant casualties, depletion of resources, or loss of strategic advantage. In politics, it can describe a situation where the ruling party or politician achieves a desired outcome, but in doing so, loses public support, damages their reputation, or erodes their power base.
In essence, a pyrrhic victory is when the winner's gains are outweighed by the detrimental consequences that hamper their ability to fully enjoy or benefit from the success. It emphasizes the notion that winning at any cost may ultimately lead to ruin or undermine the very purpose of the victory.
Common Misspellings for PYRRHIC VICTORY
- oyrrhic victory
- lyrrhic victory
- -yrrhic victory
- 0yrrhic victory
- ptrrhic victory
- pgrrhic victory
- phrrhic victory
- purrhic victory
- p7rrhic victory
- p6rrhic victory
- pyerhic victory
- pydrhic victory
- pyfrhic victory
- pytrhic victory
- py5rhic victory
- py4rhic victory
- pyrehic victory
- pyrdhic victory
- pyrfhic victory
Etymology of PYRRHIC VICTORY
The term "pyrrhic victory" originated from the victorious battles of Pyrrhus of Epirus, a Greek general and king in the 3rd century BC. Pyrrhus fought against the Roman Republic in a series of conflicts known as the Pyrrhic Wars. Although Pyrrhus achieved tactical victories in some battles, the cost in terms of casualties and resources was extremely high, which made his victories hollow and unsustainable. As a result, the phrase "pyrrhic victory" came to be used to describe a situation where a victory is achieved but at a great cost or with significant negative consequences.
Idioms with the word PYRRHIC VICTORY
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a Pyrrhic victory
A Pyrrhic victory refers to a situation where someone achieves success or triumphs in a particular endeavor but incurs such heavy losses or detrimental consequences that the victory ultimately feels more like a defeat. It implies that the cost or damage incurred in achieving the victory outweighs the benefits gained from it.
