to pray to gods; to resort to ineffective means
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to pray to gods or spirits for help (superstitious)
literaryLiteral and superstitious usage, mostly found in classical or historical contexts.
Ancient monarchs often prayed to heaven and earth for favorable weather.
When faced with unsolvable dilemmas, some people resort to praying to gods and Buddhas.
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This method of trying to change fate by praying to spirits is unreliable.
verb
(figurative) to resort to unreliable help; to seek aid from ineffective sources
literaryUsed metaphorically to criticize seeking help from sources that are powerless or inappropriate, often implying desperation or a lack of better options.
The company is in crisis, but instead of seeking substantial reform, he resorts to empty slogans.
Trying to solve a problem by using backdoor connections is like seeking unreliable help from vague relationships.
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Resorting to ancient superstitions on scientific matters is futile.