Crossword Genius

Spooner's interpretation of penalty regulations in hopeless case (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lost cause

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'hopeless case' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for lost cause that I've seen before include "Hopeless campaign" , "Hopeless quest" , "Hopeless effort or undertaking, beyond rescue" , "I'm at home in Oxford" , "Hopeless case" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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