- A victory that comes at such a great cost (e.g., heavy losses, devastating consequences) that it is tantamount to defeat; the win wasn't worth the price paid.
Explanation
Origin
- Named after King Pyrrhus of Epirus (Ancient Greece).
- Pyrrhus defeated the Romans in the Battle of Asculum in 279 BC but suffered devastating, irreplaceable losses to his own army.
- According to the historian Plutarch, Pyrrhus commented after the battle, One more such victory and we are undone (or similar wording).
- The idiom signifies a win that inflicts so much damage on the victor that it undermines their long-term success or survival.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Won, but got wrecked in the process.
- Not worth the hassle/cost.
- Shot yourself in the foot. (If the cost was self-inflicted damage)
Milder/Common/Formal:
- A costly win.
- The victory came at too high a price.
- A counterproductive outcome.
- A hollow victory.
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate in informal and formal settings (history, politics, business strategy, personal conflicts) when discussing wins that came at too high a price.
- Its classical origin gives it a slightly more formal or educated feel.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Requires knowledge of the historical reference. Without it, listeners might just hear victory and miss the crucial negative aspect of excessive cost. Ensure context makes the negative connotation clear.
Examples
- Winning the lawsuit was a Pyrrhic victory; the legal fees bankrupted the company.
- He won the argument but alienated his friends – a Pyrrhic victory.
- The army captured the hill, but their heavy casualties made it a Pyrrhic victory.
Dialogue
Politician A: We managed to pass the bill, but we had to make so many concessions.
Politician B: Sounds like a Pyrrhic victory. Does the final bill even achieve our original goals?
Politician A: Barely. And we used up all our political capital in the process.
Social Media Examples
- History Buff Tweet: The Battle of Asculum (279 BC) is the classic example of a Pyrrhic victory. #history #ancientrome #militaryhistory
- Political Commentary: Forcing the vote might give them a win on paper, but it could be a Pyrrhic victory if it divides the party further. #politics
- Forum Post about a game: We finally beat the raid boss, but used up all our best potions and half the guild quit in frustration. A real Pyrrhic victory. #gaming #MMORPG
Response Patterns
- Understanding/Sympathy: That's rough, So it wasn't really worth it, What a costly win.
- Questioning: Why was the cost so high?
- Reflection: Sometimes winning isn't everything.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- After hearing it: What were the costs/losses?, Was it worth it in the end?, What happened next?
- The speaker might elaborate on the negative consequences of the supposed victory.
Conversation Starter
- No. Used to analyze or describe the outcome of a conflict or effort.
Intonation
- Spoken within a sentence. Emphasis usually on Pyrrhic. ...it was a PYR-rhic victory. (Pyrrhic is pronounced roughly PIR-ik).
Generation Differences
- More likely to be understood by those with historical or classical knowledge. Less common in everyday casual conversation among those unfamiliar with the term.
Regional Variations
- Used across English-speaking regions, especially in written or more formal contexts.