come to naught

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

naught or nought /nɔt/   n. [uncountable]

1. nothing.
2. a cipher (0);
   zero:
   a score of ten to naught.

Idioms

3. Idioms come to naught, [no object] to end in failure:
   His plans came to naught.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

naught  (nôt), n. 

1. nothing.
2. a cipher (0);
   zero.
3. Idioms come to naught, to come to nothing;
   be without result or fruition;
   fail.
4. Idioms set at naught, to regard or treat as of no importance;
   disdain:
   He entered a milieu that set his ideals at naught.

adj. 

5. lost;
   ruined.
6. [Archaic.] worthless;
   useless.
7. [Obs.] morally bad;
   wicked.

adv. 

8. [Obs.] not.

Also, nought. 

• bef. 900; Middle English; Old English nauht, nāwiht (nā no¹ + wiht thing). See nought, wight¹, whit