To no ___ (ineffectively)

AVAIL

Think of a phrase meaning "of no use" that often follows "to little" in expressions about effort or success.

The phrase "to no avail" is a common expression meaning something was done without success or effect. Here, the clue cuts off the word "avail" to create a fill-in-the-blank, hinting at the missing word that completes the idiom. The answer is simply "AVAIL," which fits both the blank and the definition of acting ineffectively. It’s a straightforward example where the clue relies on a well-known phrase rather than wordplay.