Meaning & use
no mileage
Last updated
Meanings
phraseidiominformal
No advantage or benefit to be gained from doing something.
Grammar: Used after 'be' or 'there is/are', usually followed by 'in': There's no mileage in arguing.
Patterns
- there is no mileage in something
- there is no mileage in doing something
- be no mileage in something
There's no mileage in complaining now that the decision has been made.
He soon realized there was no mileage in trying to change her mind.
For the company, there is no mileage in cutting prices further.
phraseidiom
No remaining distance or use left in a vehicle, tire, or similar item.
Grammar: Used literally about vehicles and parts; often after 'have' or 'be'.
Patterns
- have no mileage left
- be no mileage left in something
These tires have no mileage left in them; you should replace them.
The old van has no mileage left, so we sold it for parts.
Common combinations
- no mileage in doing something
- There's no mileage in waiting any longer.
- no mileage in something
- There's no mileage in that plan at all.
- see no mileage in
- The board sees no mileage in expanding overseas.
- there is no mileage left
- There is no mileage left in this argument.
Synonyms and how they differ
- no point
- More direct and neutral; 'no point' focuses on lack of purpose, while 'no mileage' suggests no practical gain or advantage.
- no advantage
- More formal and literal; it states the lack of benefit plainly rather than using the mileage metaphor.
Opposites
Commonly confused: no mileage or mileage?
no mileage vs mileage
On its own 'mileage' means distance traveled or the benefit obtained from something; 'no mileage' is the negative idiom meaning no benefit.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'no mileage' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The idiom takes 'in' followed by a noun or -ing form: 'no mileage in arguing'. The other options use the wrong preposition or omit it entirely.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “no mileage”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.