Loss in terms of money or efforts. Could be recent or ancient.

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[โ€“] 83 points 3 years ago (1 child)

King Pyrrhus of Epirus. He was known for winning battles against superior armies, at the cost of taking heavy losses. He was once quoted as saying "If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined."

He was so famous for this, that the term for a victory that devastates the victor bears his name, a Pyrrhic victory.

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