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English Language & Usage

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    I would note that most English speakers will likely understand your translated "squashing water" comment - as a matter of fact, I am going to try to remember that, that's great!
    – DQdlM
    Commented Apr 13, 2012 at 10:08
  • 18
    Raising teenagers has been described as nailing Jell-o to a tree.
    – cornbread ninja 麵包忍者
    Commented Apr 13, 2012 at 12:47
  • 4
    In mine, it's carrying water to sea.
    – reinierpost
    Commented Apr 13, 2012 at 13:05
  • 6
    Rather than finding an idiom to substitute, you could just say "pointless".
    – Steven Rumbalski
    Commented Apr 13, 2012 at 17:53
  • 3
    One of my favourites is pissing into the wind, though this can carry the further implication that trying to achieve the task could actually result in you making things worse for yourself.
    – Graham Snyder
    Commented Apr 13, 2012 at 20:00