nothing to lose; might as well try
Used when attempting something with low expectations, because failure leaves you no worse off than before. Often said before a risky or uncertain action.
See also: ダメもと
I don't know if I'll win, but I'll apply. I've got nothing to lose.
They might say no, but I'll just ask. There's no harm in trying.
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling.
Katakana spelling of 駄目, often used for emphasis or in casual writing.
From 駄目 (dame, 'no good') + で (particle) + 元々 (motomoto, 'from the beginning; originally'), literally 'even if it's no good, it's the same as before'. The phrase implies that failure returns you to the original state, so there is nothing to lose.