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forlorn hope

   Also found in: Wikipedia 0.15 sec.
forlorn hope
n.
1. An arduous or nearly hopeless undertaking.
2. An advance guard of troops sent on a hazardous mission.
[By folk etymology from Dutch verloren hoop, advance guard : verloren, past participle of verliezen, to lose; see leu- in Indo-European roots + hoop, troop.]
forlorn hope
Noun
1. a hopeless enterprise
2. a faint hope [changed (by folk etymology) from Dutch verloren hoop lost troop]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.forlorn hope - a hopeless or desperate enterprise
endeavor, endeavour, enterprise - a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness); "he had doubts about the whole enterprise"


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
"There is one chance," she answered, "a sort of forlorn hope, but you might try it.
The Malefactor by Oppenheim, E. Phillips View in context
There was but one forlorn hope for us, and I took it.
The Gods of Mars by Burroughs, Edgar Rice View in context
The feel of the long spear shaft in his hand and the sight of the tree beyond the lion gave the lad an idea--a preposterous idea--a ridiculous, forlorn hope of an idea; but there was no time now to weigh chances--there was but a single chance, and that was the thorn tree.
The Son Of Tarzan by Burroughs, Edgar Rice View in context
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