lost cause

Red Bull's Verstappen has turned a seemingly lost cause into a thrilling late, if unexpected, charge for a fifth title.

After staying out to applaud the away end at full-time, he deadpanned that his situation was "a lost cause" when asked if he could turn things around with time.

But nor is it the case that democracy in our country is a lost cause.

This year, however, has become a lost cause.

Monday’s game was a lost cause from the start.