empty-handed

[ emp-tee-han-did ]

/ ˈɛmp tiˈhæn dɪd /

having nothing in the hands, as in doing no work: While we were carrying out the luggage, he stood by empty-handed.

having gained nothing: to return from a quest empty-handed.

bringing no gift, donation, etc.: They came to the birthday party empty-handed.

Origin of empty-handed

First recorded in 1605–15

The mission was unsuccessful as he returned home “empty-handed.”

The Ominous Meaning of North Korea’s Missile Launches |Gordon G. Chang |February 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
There were five or six fishermen staying at the hotel, and they came in one by one, empty-handed.

The Charm of Ireland |Burton Egbert Stevenson
However, it sometimes happens that the ghost disappoints them, and that the hunters return in the evening hungry and empty-handed.

The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead, Volume I (of 3) |Sir James George Frazer
Why, man, do you suppose they would welcome us if we went to them empty-handed?

The Rover's Secret |Harry Collingwood

She was now empty-handed but the startled guardian of the peace was slow to realize it.

Anderson Crow, Detective |George Barr McCutcheon
It was not supper, it was Fry who came in empty-handed, leaving the door open.

It Is Never Too Late to Mend |Charles Reade

empty-handed

carrying nothing in the hands

having gained nothing they returned from the negotiations empty-handed