ENGLISH
REFERENCE

waste of breath

idiom
Meaning

Needless or unnecessary speech.


Examples
SIMPLE

Don't argue with him; it is a waste of breath.

CONTEXTUAL

I tried to explain the new rules, but it was a total waste of breath because nobody was listening.

COMPLEX

Attempting to persuade the stubborn committee proved to be a complete waste of breath, as their minds were already firmly made up.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    breath of fresh air

    Something relieving, refreshing, or new.

  2. 02

    don't hold your breath

    Don't wait. Said cynically to suggest that what has just been mentioned is unlikely to happen soon or at all.

  3. 03

    draw one's last breath

    To die.

  4. 04

    hold one's breath

    To wait expectantly for something to happen soon.

  5. 05

    save one's breath

    To refrain from speech; to be quiet, especially where it would have no useful effect to speak.

  6. 06

    take a breath

    to inhale and subsequently exhale air

  7. 07

    take a deep breath

    To inhale deeply.

  8. 08

    take someone's breath away

    To make a person feel emotionally moved in a pleasant way.

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