Trying to fix that broken machine is just plowing the sands.
plow the sands
idiomto spend considerable time and effort to do something useless; to waste time
He spent all weekend arguing with the neighbor, but he was only plowing the sands because the man refused to listen.
The committee realized that continuing to debate the impossible proposal was merely plowing the sands, so they finally decided to abandon the project entirely.
- 01
plough a lonely furrow
To carry out an action in isolation, or in an original way, without any help or support from others.
- 02
plough money
To invest money in a project or endeavor, especially to help it succeed or earn more money.
- 03
plough one's way
To make one's way.
- 04
plough the back forty
To engage in sexual intercourse.
- 05
plow on
To continue with a menial, tedious, or time-consuming task.
- 06
plow one's way
Alternative spelling of plough one's way.
- 07
plow with one's heifer
To have an affair with another man's wife or to deal with the wife in order to obtain something from her husband.