expression
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: 駄目元
当たるかわからないけど、応募してみよう。駄目で元々だし。
I don't know if I'll win, but I'll apply. I've got nothing to lose.
断られるかもしれないけど、聞くだけ聞いてみる。駄目で元々だから。
They might say no, but I'll just ask. There's no harm in trying.
A shorter, more casual abbreviation of 駄目で元々, used in the same 'nothing to lose' sense.
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.