English
Etymology
From horse racing, (deprecated template usage) hiding; (deprecated template usage) to, ie, 6 to 1. Literally, the phrase can be described as to bet on a contest whose outcome is at worst a beating, or at best nothing. A heavily favored team in a sporting contest earns no credit for victory, but is shamed by defeat; this team is said to be on a hiding to nothing.
Noun
hiding to nothing (uncountable)
- Template:idiom A situation in which victory has little or no value, but defeat has a huge cost.
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Usage notes
- Can be used to describe any contested outcome.
References
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/on-a-hiding-to-nothing.html