From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishwasted journey/trip/effort etcwasted journey/trip/effort etcWASTE somethinga journey etc that does not achieve anything I’m sorry you’ve had a wasted trip. Mr Newton isn’t here. → wasted
Examples from the Corpus
wasted journey/trip/effort etc• By providing clear goals and objectives, it minimises frustration and wasted effort. 4.• Not a wasted journey, after all, but she was anxious to carry on.• It could save you a lot of wasted effort and money.• If no-one answered soon he would have to chalk it up as a wasted trip, and Montgomery would not be amused.• As processes improve, it cuts out much of the wasted effort and rework, thus enhancing productivity.• What a ridiculously wasted effort this was, Bill.• Pembrooke had a wasted journey to Downpatrick yesterday.• Not that it was a completely wasted trip, what with the hardware store right next door. 