Stop tilting at windmills and focus on real problems.
tilt at windmills
idiomTo attack imaginary enemies.
Origin
disputed originFrom a passage in the novel Don Quixote where the eponymous character tilts (i.e. jousts) at windmills that he has mistaken for giants.
He spends his entire day arguing with internet strangers, essentially tilting at windmills while his actual work remains unfinished.
The aging politician continued to tilt at windmills, railing against long-forgotten policies that no longer posed any threat to the modern state.
- 01
full tilt
As quickly as possible; very rapidly.
- 02
full tilt boogie
At the most extreme level; at full capacity.
- 03
mistake windmills for giants
To perceive ordinary, nonthreatening objects or situations as significant dangers or adversaries, often due to an overly romantic, idealistic, or deluded worldview.