Linked Questions
21 questions linked to/from An idiom meaning someone's doing something useless and has no result at the end
0
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Saying for not doing something because it is futile [duplicate]
Is there such a saying? Futile may be either because it will fail or because it is unnecessary / already taken care of. I considered: too many chefs spoil the broth
and
It's like carrying coals to ...
- 707
0
votes
0
answers
55
views
Looking for an analogy for using the wrong solution [duplicate]
I am looking for an analogy. I am trying to convey the message that if you have disordered eating and you are trying to fix it with weight loss, it's like....and here I am lost with an analogy that ...
93
votes
29
answers
27k
views
Is there an American English equivalent of the British idiom "carrying coals to Newcastle"?
I'm an American living in the Netherlands who is learning Dutch. There's an idiom in Dutch that describes performing a needless/futile activity, "water naar de zee dragen," which literally translates ...
- 902
51
votes
11
answers
8k
views
Idiom: People caring about minor stuff while something terrible is happening
Imagine a situation in which the whole place is on fire, a bomb is about to explode, everyone is running for their lives and someone is checking his looks on the mirror... pretty inappropriate for the ...
- 1,687
37
votes
7
answers
16k
views
An English idiom for "solve a problem that has been solved"?
In Polish, and I believe in a number of other European languages, there is an idiomatic expression which translates to "to force a door which is already open". It is used to describe a situation when ...
- 1,134
12
votes
12
answers
13k
views
Is there any idiom about the problems so bad that cannot be solved? [closed]
Do we have any idiom in English stating such a concept? "the problem got so bad/complex that it cannot be solved anymore"
- 313
11
votes
7
answers
6k
views
What's a good phrase for "refining a process which is hopelessly broken"?
I'm looking for a turn of phrase to describe a situation where the powers that be wish to continue making small improvements to a process which, due to deep-rooted flaws, will never be close to ...
user9383
10
votes
14
answers
34k
views
A word or phrase for 'Holy grail' (a goal impossible to achieve)
I am looking for a word or phrase that means "a long sought out goal that seems impossible to achieve" but without any religious connotations. Any suggestions?
My intended usage is as follows:
The ...
- 203
11
votes
8
answers
67k
views
What is an alternative (more positive) analogy to "beating a dead horse"?
I'm looking for an analogy for my repeated attempts to revive interest in a project. The phrase beating a dead horse almost fits the bill, but a dead horse refers to a subject that is no longer ...
- 213
8
votes
8
answers
35k
views
Phrase which describes falsely improving something
Is there an aphorism or proverb in English which describes attempting to improve something fundamentally flawed by dressing it with a lot of ornament?
- 345
10
votes
10
answers
2k
views
What's the English equivalent for the German term "Salzamt", used when it's not possible to appeal a decision, or it's simply useless to complain?
In Austria, we sometimes jokingly say:
Beschwerden ans Salzamt!
Complaints to the Bureau of Salt
meaning that it is not possible to appeal a decision, or that it is simply useless to complain about ...
- 313
6
votes
8
answers
3k
views
English equivalent to Dutch "Mopping while the tap is running"?
There is a great phrase in Dutch that translates roughly as "Mopping the floor while the tap is running".
I.e. working to fix a problem but having no impact and not even able to keep up.
Is there an ...
- 341
3
votes
3
answers
27k
views
Meaning of "herding the cats"
What is the meaning of the phrase herding the cats? I've found one description on Wikipedia but it is not clear enough.
- 205
3
votes
3
answers
15k
views
Idiom to describe something that has little to no effect?
I'm looking for an idiom to describe something that has a negligible effect.
The only similar question I found here was: An idiom meaning someone's doing something useless and has no result at ...
- 1,203
8
votes
4
answers
4k
views
A phrase for when one is reduced to quibbling on unimportant details having had to give up significant ground
Is there a popular phrase or idiom to capture the following very particular scenario? Person A and person B are arguing over something. Person A repeatedly gives ground to B until the argument becomes ...
- 442