carry coals to Newcastle
To do something that is unneeded or redundant.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Bringing extra food to a feast is like carrying coals to Newcastle.”
“Offering advice to an expert on their own subject is just carrying coals to Newcastle.”
“By attempting to lecture the seasoned historian on the nuances of the revolution, the student was merely carrying coals to Newcastle.”
Newcastle upon Tyne (in England) was a major coal-exporting city, so sending coal there would be pointless.
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can't carry a tune in a bucket
Sings very badly.
- 02
canary in a coal mine
Something whose sensitivity to adverse conditions makes it a useful early indicator of such conditions; something which warns of the coming of a greater danger or trouble by a deterioration in its health or welfare.
- 03
carried away
Made excessively emotional or excited, so that one goes too far.
- 04
carry a torch
To love or to be romantically infatuated with, especially when such feelings are not reciprocated.
- 05
carry away
To be so excited that one is no longer in control of one's actions or behavior.
- 06
carry forward
To transfer to a new page, column, ledger, or similar entity.
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carry off
To act convincingly; to succeed at giving the impression of (e.g.) knowledge, confidence, or familiarity.
- 08
carry on
To continue or proceed as before.
Last updated August 10, 2026