Pyrrhic victory

Origin of: Pyrrhic victory

Pyrrhic victory

A victory gained at such great cost that it is almost a defeat. The expression first appeared in print during the 19th century but may been used before that since the origin is from ancient history. A Pyrrhic victory is named after Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, who after a battle against the Romans in 279 BC, a battle that he actually won, said, “One more such victory and we are lost.” See also Hollow victory.