In everyday life in the USA, people sometimes face situations where their efforts seem to go nowhere. No matter how hard they try, the result stays the same. To describe these moments, Americans often use idioms for futility. These expressions add color to conversations and make it easier to explain the feeling of wasted effort.
For example, if someone tries to fix a broken umbrella during a strong windstorm, friends might use one of these idioms to describe the pointless work. Such phrases are part of American culture and are used in schools, workplaces, and casual talks. Learning them will help you understand conversations better and make your own speech more vivid. In this article, we’ll explore 40 idioms for futility, their meanings, and how they are used in the USA.
Idioms for Futility
1. Beating a Dead Horse
Meaning: Continuing to discuss or work on something that has already been decided or settled.
Example Sentence:
• Talking to him about the rules now is like beating a dead horse.
• Arguing about yesterday’s game is beating a dead horse.
Other ways to say: Wasting breath, flogging a dead horse
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from the idea that hitting a horse that has died will not make it move, so the action is pointless.
Usage: Used when someone keeps bringing up an issue that can’t be changed.
2. Pouring Water into a Sieve
Meaning: Putting effort into something that cannot be completed or kept.
Example Sentence:
• Trying to keep the sandcastle from washing away was like pouring water into a sieve.
• Saving money while shopping every day is like pouring water into a sieve.
Other ways to say: Wasting effort, hopeless task
Fun Fact/Origin: A sieve has holes, so water just runs through—symbolizing wasted work.
Usage: Used when effort is wasted because results cannot be held.
3. Fishing Without Bait
Meaning: Trying to achieve something without the necessary tools or preparation.
Example Sentence:
• Asking for a job without a resume is like fishing without bait.
• Going to a bake sale without any cash is fishing without bait.
Other ways to say: Ill-prepared, going in unready
Fun Fact/Origin: Fishing without bait means you’ll likely catch nothing, no matter how long you try.
Usage: Used when someone attempts something without being ready.
4. Trying to Nail Jelly to a Wall
Meaning: Attempting something impossible or extremely difficult.
Example Sentence:
• Convincing my cat to take a bath is like trying to nail jelly to a wall.
• Explaining that movie to a toddler was like nailing jelly to a wall.
Other ways to say: Hopeless effort, impossible job
Fun Fact/Origin: Jelly is soft and slippery, making it impossible to nail to a wall.
Usage: Used for describing tasks that are bound to fail.
5. Chasing Rainbows
Meaning: Pursuing something unrealistic or impossible.
Example Sentence:
• Hoping for summer snow here is like chasing rainbows.
• Trying to find a perfect parking spot at the mall on Black Friday is chasing rainbows.
Other ways to say: Fool’s errand, wild goose chase
Fun Fact/Origin: Rainbows can be seen but never reached, making them a symbol of impossible goals.
Usage: Used when talking about unrealistic ambitions.
6. Building Castles in the Air
Meaning: Making plans that are unlikely to happen.
Example Sentence:
• Planning a world tour without money is building castles in the air.
• Expecting a big raise after one week of work is building castles in the air.
Other ways to say: Daydreaming, unrealistic planning
Fun Fact/Origin: “Castles in the air” has been used since the 16th century to describe fanciful dreams.
Usage: Used when plans have no solid base.
7. Writing on Water
Meaning: Doing something that will disappear immediately.
Example Sentence:
• Trying to keep footprints in wet sand is like writing on water.
• His promises were like writing on water—gone in a moment.
Other ways to say: Temporary effort, fleeting result
Fun Fact/Origin: Words written on water vanish instantly, symbolizing something that cannot last.
Usage: Used for short-lived actions or results.
8. Whistling in the Wind
Meaning: Talking or acting without any effect.
Example Sentence:
• Warning him about the test was like whistling in the wind.
• Complaining about the weather is whistling in the wind.
Other ways to say: Pointless warning, wasted talk
Fun Fact/Origin: The sound of a whistle is lost in the wind, just as some efforts go unheard.
Usage: Used when no one listens or cares.
9. Carrying Coals to Newcastle
Meaning: Bringing something to a place that already has plenty.
Example Sentence:
• Taking oranges to Florida is like carrying coals to Newcastle.
• Selling snow in Alaska is carrying coals to Newcastle.
Other ways to say: Redundant, unnecessary effort
Fun Fact/Origin: Newcastle in England was known for coal production, so bringing more was pointless.
Usage: Used when adding something unnecessary to an already full supply.
10. Barking at the Moon
Meaning: Complaining or protesting against something that cannot be changed.
Example Sentence:
• Yelling at the TV during a game is barking at the moon.
• Arguing with a traffic light is barking at the moon.
Other ways to say: Wasting energy, useless complaint
Fun Fact/Origin: A dog barking at the moon makes no difference to the moon—symbolizing helplessness.
Usage: Used when efforts are powerless to change the situation.
11. Emptying the Ocean with a Spoon
Meaning: Trying to do something far too big with very small means.
Example Sentence:
• Cleaning that huge stadium with one broom is like emptying the ocean with a spoon.
• Trying to move all the snow alone is like emptying the ocean with a spoon.
Other ways to say: Hopeless task, too big to finish
Fun Fact/Origin: Oceans are enormous, so using a spoon makes the job impossible.
Usage: Used when someone’s effort is too small for the job.
12. Herding Cats
Meaning: Trying to control or organize people who are difficult to manage.
Example Sentence:
• Getting the kids ready for school was like herding cats.
• Organizing that meeting was herding cats.
Other ways to say: Impossible to organize, chaotic task
Fun Fact/Origin: Cats are independent and hard to direct, making this phrase popular in the USA.
Usage: Used when trying to manage uncooperative people.
13. Digging a Hole in Water
Meaning: Making an effort that leaves no result.
Example Sentence:
• Trying to stop the rumors was like digging a hole in water.
• Washing the car during a rainstorm is digging a hole in water.
Other ways to say: Futile effort, no lasting result
Fun Fact/Origin: Water fills back in instantly, erasing the hole.
Usage: Used when results disappear immediately.
14. Spitting in the Wind
Meaning: Taking an action that will backfire or have no effect.
Example Sentence:
• Fighting city hall is like spitting in the wind.
• Trying to argue with her was spitting in the wind.
Other ways to say: Wasted effort, pointless risk
Fun Fact/Origin: Spitting into wind blows it right back at you, symbolizing wasted work.
Usage: Used when efforts are useless and may harm you.
15. Throwing Money Down the Drain
Meaning: Spending money wastefully.
Example Sentence:
• Buying that broken car was throwing money down the drain.
• Paying for unused subscriptions is throwing money down the drain.
Other ways to say: Wasting money, financial loss
Fun Fact/Origin: Once money is in a drain, it’s gone forever.
Usage: Used when money is spent with no return.
16. Winking at the Sun
Meaning: Doing something completely pointless.
Example Sentence:
• Trying to hide from the sun under a thin tree is winking at the sun.
• Painting a fence in the rain is winking at the sun.
Other ways to say: Hopeless action, wasted motion
Fun Fact/Origin: The sun is too bright to notice a wink, so it’s meaningless.
Usage: Used for actions that make no difference.
17. Plowing the Sea
Meaning: Working hard but leaving no trace of the work.
Example Sentence:
• His efforts to stop gossip were like plowing the sea.
• Cleaning the playground during a windstorm is plowing the sea.
Other ways to say: Pointless work, wasted labor
Fun Fact/Origin: Ships plow the water but leave no lasting mark.
Usage: Used when work disappears without effect.
18. Watering a Dead Plant
Meaning: Putting effort into something that is beyond saving.
Example Sentence:
• Trying to fix that broken phone was watering a dead plant.
• Saving that failed business is watering a dead plant.
Other ways to say: Hopeless rescue, wasted effort
Fun Fact/Origin: Dead plants cannot be revived, no matter how much water you give.
Usage: Used when something is past the point of help.
19. Shoveling Snow in a Blizzard
Meaning: Doing work that will be undone immediately.
Example Sentence:
• Fixing the tent in a windstorm is like shoveling snow in a blizzard.
• Cleaning your shoes while walking in mud is shoveling snow in a blizzard.
Other ways to say: Pointless work, wasted energy
Fun Fact/Origin: In a blizzard, snow falls faster than you can shovel.
Usage: Used when your work is instantly undone.
20. Pouring Paint on the Ocean
Meaning: Trying to make a big change with a tiny effort.
Example Sentence:
• Donating one penny to buy a yacht is like pouring paint on the ocean.
• Fixing world hunger with one sandwich is pouring paint on the ocean.
Other ways to say: Too little to matter, insignificant effort
Fun Fact/Origin: A drop of paint makes no visible change in the vast ocean.
Usage: Used when effort is far too small to change the outcome.
21. Throwing Good Money After Bad
Meaning: Continuing to invest in something that is already a loss.
Example Sentence:
• Fixing that old car again is throwing good money after bad.
• Spending more on a failing business is throwing good money after bad.
Other ways to say: Wasting more resources, compounding loss
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom warns against repeating bad financial decisions.
Usage: Used when someone keeps spending on something that’s failing.
22. Catching Smoke with Your Hands
Meaning: Trying to hold onto something that can’t be contained.
Example Sentence:
• Keeping secrets in a gossip-filled school is like catching smoke with your hands.
• Controlling rumors is catching smoke with your hands.
Other ways to say: Impossible hold, futile attempt
Fun Fact/Origin: Smoke slips through fingers, just like some problems.
Usage: Used when a goal is impossible to keep.
23. Filling a Bucket with a Hole in It
Meaning: Trying to reach a goal while losing progress at the same time.
Example Sentence:
• Saving money while overspending is like filling a bucket with a hole in it.
• Trying to cool a room with the windows open is filling a bucket with a hole in it.
Other ways to say: Losing faster than gaining, impossible task
Fun Fact/Origin: Water leaks out, making the bucket never full.
Usage: Used when effort is undone by loss.
24. Painting Over Rust
Meaning: Hiding a problem instead of fixing it.
Example Sentence:
• Covering a bad grade with excuses is like painting over rust.
• Putting tape on a leaky pipe is painting over rust.
Other ways to say: Temporary fix, covering the problem
Fun Fact/Origin: Rust continues to spread under paint, just like some issues.
Usage: Used when covering problems instead of solving them.
25. Making a Rope Out of Sand
Meaning: Trying to create something strong from weak materials.
Example Sentence:
• Building trust on lies is like making a rope out of sand.
• Constructing that bridge from cardboard is making a rope out of sand.
Other ways to say: Weak foundation, impossible build
Fun Fact/Origin: Sand cannot hold together like rope fibers.
Usage: Used when trying to make something work from useless materials.
26. Throwing Stones at the Moon
Meaning: Trying to affect something far out of reach.
Example Sentence:
• Expecting to change the school rules alone is like throwing stones at the moon.
• Complaining to the clouds about rain is throwing stones at the moon.
Other ways to say: Out of reach, pointless action
Fun Fact/Origin: The moon is too far away for stones to touch.
Usage: Used when goals are completely unreachable.
27. Pouring Coffee into a Broken Cup
Meaning: Putting effort into something that cannot hold results.
Example Sentence:
• Giving him advice he never takes is like pouring coffee into a broken cup.
• Feeding that broken vending machine is pouring coffee into a broken cup.
Other ways to say: Wasted effort, no return
Fun Fact/Origin: A cracked cup leaks, just like wasted effort.
Usage: Used when your work has no lasting effect.
28. Chasing Your Tail
Meaning: Busy with activity but getting nowhere.
Example Sentence:
• All day I’ve been chasing my tail with these endless emails.
• Trying to fix one problem that causes another is chasing your tail.
Other ways to say: Going in circles, no progress
Fun Fact/Origin: Dogs chase their tails without catching them—just running in circles.
Usage: Used for unproductive busy work.
29. Blowing Out a Light with Your Breath in a Storm
Meaning: Trying to make a small change in the middle of a much bigger force.
Example Sentence:
• Protesting alone in a huge crowd is like blowing out a light with your breath in a storm.
• Fixing one leak during a flood is blowing out a light in a storm.
Other ways to say: Overpowered effort, hopeless action
Fun Fact/Origin: Strong winds overpower breath easily.
Usage: Used when the environment makes success impossible.
30. Picking Up Leaves in a Windstorm
Meaning: Trying to complete a task while forces undo it instantly.
Example Sentence:
• Sweeping the driveway during high winds is picking up leaves in a windstorm.
• Cleaning during a messy party is picking up leaves in a windstorm.
Other ways to say: Futile cleaning, wasted work
Fun Fact/Origin: Leaves scatter faster than you can collect them in wind.
Usage: Used when work is undone as you do it.
31. Hammering on Water
Meaning: Trying to make an impact where no impact can be made.
Example Sentence:
• Forcing him to listen was like hammering on water.
• Trying to shape the fog was hammering on water.
Other ways to say: Impossible action, useless effort
Fun Fact/Origin: Water moves away from force, leaving no mark.
Usage: Used when efforts cannot leave any effect.
32. Cooking Without Heat
Meaning: Trying to get results without the necessary conditions.
Example Sentence:
• Expecting the cake to bake without turning on the oven is cooking without heat.
• Growing plants without sunlight is cooking without heat.
Other ways to say: Missing essentials, unworkable plan
Fun Fact/Origin: Heat is required for cooking—without it, nothing happens.
Usage: Used when a plan lacks what’s needed for success.
33. Sewing with No Thread
Meaning: Trying to complete a task without the key materials.
Example Sentence:
• Writing an essay without a pen is sewing with no thread.
• Building a chair without nails is sewing with no thread.
Other ways to say: Unprepared, impossible job
Fun Fact/Origin: Thread is essential for sewing, just as some tools are essential for work.
Usage: Used when someone starts without the essentials.
34. Rowing Against the Current
Meaning: Trying to move forward against strong opposition.
Example Sentence:
• Getting that rule changed is like rowing against the current.
• Convincing him to agree was rowing against the current.
Other ways to say: Fighting the tide, uphill struggle
Fun Fact/Origin: Strong currents push back, making rowing exhausting.
Usage: Used when you work hard against forces that push you back.
35. Blowing a Kiss to the Clouds
Meaning: Sending a message or effort that will never reach its target.
Example Sentence:
• Writing letters to an unknown address is like blowing a kiss to the clouds.
• Talking to someone who ignores you is blowing a kiss to the clouds.
Other ways to say: Out of reach, wasted effort
Fun Fact/Origin: Clouds are too far to feel a kiss, making the action symbolic of futility.
Usage: Used for unreachable gestures.
36. Trying to Square the Circle
Meaning: Attempting the impossible.
Example Sentence:
• Making everyone happy in that debate is like trying to square the circle.
• Balancing work and school perfectly is squaring the circle.
Other ways to say: Impossible problem, hopeless task
Fun Fact/Origin: “Squaring the circle” is a famous unsolvable geometry problem.
Usage: Used for impossible challenges.
37. Filling a Basket with Fog
Meaning: Trying to collect something that cannot be held.
Example Sentence:
• Saving time by watching TV is like filling a basket with fog.
• Holding onto dreams without action is filling a basket with fog.
Other ways to say: Empty result, futile effort
Fun Fact/Origin: Fog slips through holes and can’t be contained.
Usage: Used for impossible collections or actions.
38. Washing the Same Spot Forever
Meaning: Working on something endlessly without progress.
Example Sentence:
• Rewriting the same paragraph all day is washing the same spot forever.
• Adjusting that painting over and over is washing the same spot forever.
Other ways to say: Endless cycle, stuck work
Fun Fact/Origin: Washing a clean spot wastes time because it never changes.
Usage: Used when efforts never move forward.
39. Drying Clothes in the Rain
Meaning: Trying to succeed while conditions ruin your work.
Example Sentence:
• Keeping the floor clean while kids run in with muddy shoes is like drying clothes in the rain.
• Painting in a thunderstorm is drying clothes in the rain.
Other ways to say: Futile effort, hopeless work
Fun Fact/Origin: Rain soaks clothes as fast as they can dry.
Usage: Used when conditions destroy your results.
40. Chasing the Wind
Meaning: Pursuing something you can never catch.
Example Sentence:
• Looking for a perfect day to start is chasing the wind.
• Trying to make everyone agree is chasing the wind.
Other ways to say: Hopeless chase, impossible goal
Fun Fact/Origin: The wind cannot be caught, no matter how fast you run.
Usage: Used when pursuing something impossible to hold.
Quiz: Idioms for Futility
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each idiom. Only one answer is correct.
Question Key
1. What does “beating a dead horse” mean?
A) Winning a race easily
B) Talking about something already settled
C) Training a horse for competition
2. If someone is “herding cats,” what are they trying to do?
A) Manage something chaotic and hard to control
B) Gather cats for a show
C) Start a farm business
3. “Pouring water into a sieve” describes:
A) Saving rainwater for later
B) Wasting effort on something that can’t be kept
C) Making soup in the kitchen
4. When you are “chasing rainbows,” you are:
A) Following a realistic plan
B) Trying to find gold
C) Pursuing something impossible
5. If you are “throwing money down the drain,” you are:
A) Spending wisely on useful items
B) Wasting money with no return
C) Investing in the stock market
6. “Watering a dead plant” means:
A) Caring for something that can’t be saved
B) Planting a new garden
C) Overwatering healthy plants
7. When someone is “plowing the sea,” they are:
A) Creating deep waves
B) Working hard with no lasting result
C) Fishing in deep water
8. “Shoveling snow in a blizzard” means:
A) Clearing snow quickly
B) Doing work that will be undone instantly
C) Playing in the snowstorm
9. If you are “catching smoke with your hands,” you are:
A) Cooking over a fire
B) Holding onto something impossible to keep
C) Cleaning a chimney
10. “Chasing your tail” describes:
A) Going in circles without progress
B) Training a dog to run
C) Following someone closely
11. If you are “drying clothes in the rain,” you are:
A) Wasting time because the work will be undone
B) Enjoying a sunny day
C) Washing laundry quickly
12. “Throwing good money after bad” means:
A) Saving more money
B) Spending even more on something that is already a loss
C) Donating to charity
13. “Chasing the wind” means:
A) Running very fast
B) Trying to catch something impossible
C) Enjoying a breezy day
Answer Key
- B) Talking about something already settled
- A) Manage something chaotic and hard to control
- B) Wasting effort on something that can’t be kept
- C) Pursuing something impossible
- B) Wasting money with no return
- A) Caring for something that can’t be saved
- B) Working hard with no lasting result
- B) Doing work that will be undone instantly
- B) Holding onto something impossible to keep
- A) Going in circles without progress
- A) Wasting time because the work will be undone
- B) Spending even more on something that is already a loss
- B) Trying to catch something impossible
Wrapping Up
Idioms for futility are common in everyday American conversations. They help describe moments when hard work leads to little or no result. These phrases make speech more colorful and help people share frustration in a relatable way. From “beating a dead horse” to “chasing the wind,” each one paints a clear picture of wasted effort.
By learning these expressions, you can understand others better and express yourself in a way that feels natural in the USA. They also add personality to your speech, whether you’re talking with friends, in school, or at work. Just remember—sometimes, the smartest move is knowing when to stop pouring water into a sieve.
