plow the sands

Meaning: To expend great effort on something completely futile or worthless.

Example: “Arguing with a conspiracy theorist is like plowing the sands.”

Origin: The image is of plowing sand, which will yield nothing—the effort is wasted because the soil is barren and will not hold any useful seed.

More English idioms

loaded for bear Fully prepared and equipped, mentally and materially, to face a difficult challenge or co…
have someone's guts for garters To punish someone severely, especially with angry or violent reprimand.
spin one's wheels To work hard without making any real progress toward a goal.
until the cows come home For an indefinitely long time; forever or seemingly forever.
land in someone's lap Something desirable comes to someone without effort or expectation on their part.
wet one's whistle To have a drink.

Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

Keep exploring