[give] up {sth} as a bad job
1
to decide that it is impossible to help something succeed because there seems to be no hope
The idiom "give someone or something up as a bad job" originates from British English and dates back to the 19th century. It signifies the act of abandoning a task, goal, or endeavor due to the belief that it is no longer achievable or worthwhile, often after experiencing multiple difficulties or setbacks. It is used to reflect the sense of resignation or acceptance that further efforts would be futile.
- After months of flooding, the construction workers had to give up rebuilding the damaged bridge as a bad job.
- The firefighters gave up trying to control the five-alarm fire and had to let it burn itself out as a bad job.
- We gave up waiting in the long line and left the DMV as a bad job to come back another day.
- After numerous attempts to repair the old car, he finally gave it up as a bad job and decided to buy a new one.
- Frustrated by the constant delays and complications, the project manager gave up on trying to meet the original deadline.