forlorn hope

forlorn hope

noun

Definition of FORLORN HOPE

1

: a body of men selected to perform a perilous service

2

: a desperate or extremely difficult enterprise

Origin of FORLORN HOPE

by folk etymology from Dutch verloren hoop, literally, lost band

First Known Use: 1579

Rhymes with FORLORN HOPE

antelope, antipope, arthroscope, biotope, bronchoscope, bunny slope, calliope, cryoscope, endoscope, envelope, episcope, epitope, fluoroscope, gastroscope, gyroscope, horoscope, interlope, isotope, kinescope, microscope, misanthrope, periscope, phalarope, radarscope, slippery slope, sniperscope, spectroscope, telescope