defeat the purpose
Work against yourself
To defeat the purpose is to undermine the very goal an action was meant to achieve.
Installing a security system but leaving the door unlocked defeats the purpose.
Exercising to lose weight while eating more defeats the purpose.
The phrase points out self-contradicting behavior—when the means chosen work against the intended end.
- negateCancel or disprove
- counteractNullify by opposing force
- opposeAct against something
- objectivePurpose or goal
- mistakeWrong action or decision
contradiction · paradox · invalidate · inconsistency · irony · absurdity · miss the point · own goal · backfire · fallacy · nullify · aim · undermine · error · goal · miscalculation · slip-up · oversight
defeat the purposesucceed
Achieve a desired aim
hit the mark · accomplish · make it work · deliver · come through
defeat the purposedo the job
Accomplish what's needed
facilitate · hit the nail on the head · pay off · bear fruit · make sense
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