spin one's wheels
Meaning: To work hard without making any real progress toward a goal.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Daily Life
Origin: From the image of a car's wheels spinning rapidly against the ground but the vehicle remaining stuck in place.
More idioms — Daily Life
- land in someone's lap — Something desirable comes to someone without effort or expectation on their part.
- out of spoons — Exhausted of energy or resources, usually mental or emotional.
- thrash out — To discuss and resolve a contentious issue thoroughly through frank dialogue.
- play Cupid — To act as a matchmaker by trying to bring two people together romantically.
- cut a rug — To dance with energy and style, particularly in early twentieth-century jazz or swing sty…
- hang upon — To be deeply absorbed in or emotionally dependent on someone or something.
More English idioms
- Lord willing and the creek don't rise — Used to express contingency on circumstances beyond one's control, especially minor natur…
- until the cows come home — For an indefinitely long time; forever or seemingly forever.
- wet one's whistle — To have a drink.
- bad apple — A person of bad character whose presence corrupts or damages others or a group.
- bad blood — Persistent hostility or deep resentment between people.
- pull teeth — To accomplish something with great difficulty, requiring much effort and persistence.
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