not win for losing

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not win for losing

1. (idiomatic, US) To repeatedly fail in one's gambles or efforts.
   • 1910, Hartley Withers, The Meaning of Money, page 42:

     Figure 1 depicts a number of these forces, and suggests the ways in which the Individualistic Ethic "could not win for losing."

   • 1936, Reuben Davis, Butcher Bird, page 14:

     Manboy grinned, and looked up as Two-Way joined them, laughing. "Gabe, you is just naturally a Jonah to your own self, and can't win for losing no matter what.

• Used in hypothetical constructs with can or could.

• can't do right for doing wrong
• not see for looking