# painting rocks

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/painting-rocks
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

pointless or futile work organised by the government, supposedly to increase employment but in fact merely disguising the unemployment level.

## Examples

- The government program is just painting rocks to keep people busy.
- Critics argue that the new public works project is merely painting rocks, as it creates no real value for the economy.
- While the administration claims these initiatives reduce unemployment, many observers view the entire scheme as little more than painting rocks, designed solely to mask deeper structural failures.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.