get nowhere

phrase

1
: to have no success at all in doing something : to make no progress
I have gotten nowhere with my research.
My research is getting nowhere.
2
: to not help (someone) at all : to not make a situation any better for (someone)
Arguing will get us nowhere.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Get nowhere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%20nowhere. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster