Mlatiti praznu slamu

Meaning: To engage in pointless talk or effort.

Language: Croatian

Literally: To thresh empty straw

Category: Nature

Origin: Beating straw that holds no grain pictures labour that yields absolutely nothing.

More idioms — Nature

• Bacati drvlje i kamenje — To hurl furious abuse at someone.
• Prodavati maglu — To peddle empty promises and con people.
• Kam vietor, tam plášť — To turn with whoever holds power.
• Kā pliks pa nātrēm — In a frantic, painful hurry.
• Itaga mo sa bato — You can count on it absolutely.
• Hulog ng langit — A godsend; a great blessing.

More Croatian idioms

• Pasti s kruške — To be clueless and out of touch.
• Ići niz dlaku — To go smoothly and agreeably.
• Glavom kroz zid — To stubbornly attempt the impossible.
• Okrenuti ploču — To abruptly change your tune.

← Back to Idioms

Loading the full interactive collection…