# nothing can be done

**Pronunciation:** ˈnʌθɪŋ kæn bi dʌn · NUTH-ing KAN bee DUN

**Part of speech:** idiom

## Meaning

A situation where all possible options have been exhausted or where a problem is beyond human intervention.

## Examples

- The doctors informed the family that nothing can be done to reverse the damage.
- When the files were permanently deleted without a backup, the IT specialist told me that nothing can be done.
- We have explored every legal avenue, but unfortunately, nothing can be done to stop the demolition.

## Synonyms

- hopeless — Describes a situation with no prospect of success.
- irremediable — Formal term for something that cannot be corrected.

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