can't win

phrase

informal

—used to say that success is not possible for someone in a particular situation

I feel like I can't win. Nothing I do seems to make any difference.

You can't win when you're dealing with someone so unreasonable.

Examples of can't win in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The littlest ones might not get all the references to sneakerhead culture and real-life animal behaviors (like Will's panoramic goat vision on the court) or thematic nuances, such as Jett's complicated history with Vineland as a celebrity who can't win the big one. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026

The pessimist would say the school can't win. — CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026

The Detroit Lions can't win the NFC North after taking the last two titles. — CBS News, 24 Dec. 2025

With a solid year from Penix and league-average or better defense, there's no reason the Falcons can't win nine games or more. — Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2025

Another good, not great, not elite center who can't win faceoffs and maybe can score 20ish goals a year. — Michael Russo, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024

That's probably a smart idea because if the biggest villain can't win House of Villains, there's definitely a flaw in the game somewhere. — Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024

Still can't win puck battles or break the puck out, same old story. — Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024

Rhymes for can't win

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• crankpin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin