"Was in vain" is an idiomatic expression that refers to an action or effort that proved to be futile, unsuccessful, or without the desired result. The phrase "was in vain" implies that despite putting effort, time, or resources towards a particular goal, the outcome did not match the expectations. It conveys a sense of disappointment and frustration with the lack of success achieved.
The word "was" in this expression indicates that the action has already occurred in the past. When something "is in vain", it suggests that the present situation holds no possibility of success. However, when the term is used in the past tense, "was in vain", it highlights that the action was fruitless or unproductive specifically in retrospect.
For instance, if someone says, "All his attempts to convince the committee to accept his proposal were in vain," it means that despite the person's efforts and attempts to persuade the committee, they were ultimately unsuccessful in achieving their desired outcome. In this case, the action of trying to convince the committee did not produce the expected or desired result.
Overall, the phrase "was in vain" underscores the feeling of disappointment and implies that time, energy, or resources were wasted, leading to an unsuccessful outcome.
