Answer:
A victory which is very costly -- so costly that it is doubtful that it gave any gain to the victor.
Phyrrus won such a victory

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A phyrric victory is a victory where you win, but the cost of winning is so high that it would have been better not to bother with the war in the first place.

-Twilight-

Contributor: Jphelm
First answer by Jphelm. Last edit by TW333. Contributor trust: 88 Question popularity: 2 [recommend question].