polish a turd
idiomTo work on a time-consuming and ultimately pointless or impossible task; to try to perfect what is inherently bad.
- 01
polish off
To finish completely, especially a food (polish the plate with one's tongue) or liquor.
- 02
Polish parliament
A deliberative but indecisive institution.
- 03
turd in the punchbowl
Something that ruins or spoils everything else; a nuisance or problem; an unpleasant or disagreeable detail.
- 04
you can't polish a turd
Something inherently unfavourable or unpleasant cannot be improved.