Possible Clues:

• A victory won at too great a cost to the victor
• Like a costly victory
• Like some victories
• A victory of sorts for chirpy characters capturing the centre of Paris
• Won at too great a cost
• A ____ victory is one gained at too great a cost
• (Of victory) where winner's losses are as great as loser's
• This victory comes at too great a price
• This victory is too costly
• Such a victory as bad as defeat