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pyrrhic victory

[/ˈpɪrɪk ˈvɪktəri/]
nounpl: pyrrhic victories
vitória de Pirro
1. A victory that is achieved at such a great cost that it is almost as bad as a defeat; a success that comes with heavy losses or negative consequences that outweigh the gains
Winning the lawsuit was a pyrrhic victory because the legal fees bankrupted the company.
Ganhar o processo foi uma vitória de Pirro porque as despesas legais faliram a empresa.
2. Any achievement that is not worthwhile because of the excessive price paid
The team achieved a pyrrhic victory by winning the championship while losing their best players to injury.
O time conquistou uma vitória de Pirro ao vencer o campeonato enquanto perdia seus melhores jogadores por lesão.
Synonyms
hollow victorycostly victoryempty victorybittersweet victory
Antonyms
decisive victoryoverwhelming victoryclean sweeptriumph

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
vitória de Pirro
Most commonly used term in Brazilian Portuguese
Portugal
vitória de Pirro
Also used in European Portuguese; may also see 'vitória demasiado cara'
General
vitória ao custo de uma derrota
Descriptive alternative phrase

Related Idioms & Phrases

win the battle but lose the war
a victory with strings attached
too high a price for victory
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