Without success (6)

I think it could be either:

Which length description are you looking for?:

2,4

in vain

'without success' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

This is all the clue.

(Other definitions for in vain that I've seen before include "Without success or result" , "Uselessly, to no avail" , "Fruitlessly" , "Without effect" , "Uselessly, without any progress" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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