Are you struggling to articulate the feeling of an effort being entirely pointless? Mastering Idioms for Futility is essential for any writer wishing to describe wasted energy, failure, or hopelessness with impact. These concise, powerful expressions—like ‘a fool’s errand’ or ‘going nowhere’—prevent your prose from sounding flat. Use these idiomatic phrases to transform descriptions of defeat into memorable, emotionally resonant statements.
Best Idioms for Futility
1. Pushing Water Uphill with a Rake
Meaning: Attempting the impossible with the wrong tools.
In a Sentence:
Arguing with a troll online is pushing water uphill with a rake.
Fixing the code without backups was pushing water uphill with a rake.
Other Ways to Say: Shoveling steam, Scooping smoke, Raking rivers
2. Chasing Shadows in a Dark Room
Meaning: Pursuing something that doesn’t exist.
In a Sentence:
Looking for honesty in politics is chasing shadows in a dark room.
Trying to please everyone is chasing shadows in a dark room.
Other Ways to Say: Hunting ghosts in the gloom, Grasping at gloom phantoms, Stalking silhouettes
3. Building Sandcastles Against the Tide
Meaning: Creating something doomed to be destroyed.
In a Sentence:
Planning a picnic in monsoon season is building sandcastles against the tide.
Investing in that scam was building sandcastles against the tide.
Other Ways to Say: Raising dunes before the deluge, Stacking shells in the surf, Molding mud in the wave
4. Shouting into the Void of Silence
Meaning: Speaking with no one to hear or respond.
In a Sentence:
Complaining on a dead forum is shouting into the void of silence.
Her warnings went shouting into the void of silence.
Other Ways to Say: Yelling at empty echoes, Screaming in the soundless, Crying to the cavern
5. Polishing Brass on a Sinking Ship
Meaning: Focusing on details while disaster looms.
In a Sentence:
Perfecting the logo while bankrupt is polishing brass on a sinking ship.
Debating fonts during a crisis is polishing brass on a sinking ship.
Other Ways to Say: Shining shoes on the Titanic, Waxing windows in the wreck, Buffing bells as it sinks
6. Herding Cats with a Feather Duster
Meaning: Trying to control the uncontrollable gently.
In a Sentence:
Managing toddlers at nap time is herding cats with a feather duster.
Organizing freelancers is herding cats with a feather duster.
Other Ways to Say: Corralling clouds with cotton, Rounding rainbows with ribbon, Guiding gusts with gauze
7. Drawing Water with a Sieve
Meaning: Effort that leaks away immediately.
In a Sentence:
Saving money while addicted to shopping is drawing water through a sieve.
Teaching manners to a bully is drawing water with a sieve.
Other Ways to Say: Bailing with a basket, Scooping with a spiderweb, Carrying in a colander
8. Planting Seeds in a Salt Flat
Meaning: Investing effort in a barren, hopeless place.
In a Sentence:
Starting a bookstore in a dying town is planting seeds in a salt flat.
Apologizing to a narcissist is planting seeds in a salt flat.
Other Ways to Say: Sowing in scorched soil, Cultivating concrete, Farming on frost
9. Catching Smoke with Open Hands
Meaning: Trying to grasp something intangible and fleeting.
In a Sentence:
Holding onto a toxic friendship is catching smoke with open hands.
Predicting trends in crypto is catching smoke with open hands.
Other Ways to Say: Clutching clouds, Grasping ghosts, Pinning perfume
10. Rolling a Boulder Up a Melting Iceberg
Meaning: Futile labor that undoes itself.
In a Sentence:
Dieting while stress-eating is rolling a boulder up a melting iceberg.
Cleaning during a toddler tantrum is rolling a boulder up a melting iceberg.
Other Ways to Say: Pushing pebbles up a puddle, Heaving rocks onto quicksand, Lifting loads in lava
11. Whispering to a Brick Wall
Meaning: Communicating with someone who won’t listen.
In a Sentence:
Explaining feelings to a gaslighter is whispering to a brick wall.
Asking for a raise in a recession is whispering to a brick wall.
Other Ways to Say: Murmuring to marble, Coaxing concrete, Confiding in a cliff
12. Mopping the Floor in a Hurricane
Meaning: Cleaning during overwhelming chaos.
In a Sentence:
Organizing files during a hack is mopping the floor in a hurricane.
Dieting during holidays is mopping the floor in a hurricane.
Other Ways to Say: Sweeping in a sandstorm, Dusting in a downpour, Wiping windows in a whirlwind
13. Counting Stars in Broad Daylight
Meaning: Attempting the clearly impossible.
In a Sentence:
Finding parking downtown at rush hour is counting stars in broad daylight.
Expecting punctuality from him is counting stars in broad daylight.
Other Ways to Say: Spotting sparks at noon, Seeing satellites in sunshine, Tracking twinkles at twilight
14. Bailing Out the Ocean with a Teacup
Meaning: Making negligible progress on a massive problem.
In a Sentence:
Recycling alone is bailing out the ocean with a teacup.
One vote in a rigged system is bailing out the ocean with a teacup.
Other Ways to Say: Scooping the sea with a spoon, Draining the deep with a thimble, Emptying the abyss with an eyedropper
15. Painting the Wind
Meaning: Trying to control or capture the uncontrollable.
In a Sentence:
Managing public image during a scandal is painting the wind.
Planning a perfect wedding is painting the wind.
Other Ways to Say: Coloring clouds, Brushing breezes, Stroking storms
Related Post: 50 Idioms for Climate Change and Our Planet
16. Knitting Fog into a Sweater
Meaning: Crafting something substantial from nothing.
In a Sentence:
Building trust with a liar is knitting fog into a sweater.
Turning rumors into strategy is knitting fog into a sweater.
Other Ways to Say: Weaving whispers into wool, Spinning steam into silk, Crocheting clouds
17. Chasing Your Tail in a Hall of Mirrors
Meaning: Confused, self-defeating pursuit.
In a Sentence:
Googling symptoms at 3 a.m. is chasing your tail in a hall of mirrors.
Overthinking the text is chasing your tail in a hall of mirrors.
Other Ways to Say: Circling in a carousel of confusion, Spinning in a spiral of self, Running rings in reflection
18. Fishing for Compliments in a Dry Well
Meaning: Seeking validation where none exists.
In a Sentence:
Posting for likes from haters is fishing for compliments in a dry well.
Bragging to jealous friends is fishing for compliments in a dry well.
Other Ways to Say: Casting for praise in a desert, Reeling for respect in rust, Baiting barren waters
19. Rearranging Deck Chairs on a Submarine
Meaning: Pointless organization in a failing situation.
In a Sentence:
Formatting the report while fired is rearranging deck chairs on a submarine.
Planning the menu during a flood is rearranging deck chairs on a submarine.
Other Ways to Say: Shuffling seats in a sinking sub, Polishing portholes underwater, Tidying torpedoes
20. Screaming Underwater
Meaning: Expressing yourself where no one can hear.
In a Sentence:
Arguing in a group chat on mute is screaming underwater.
Whispering secrets to a gossip is screaming underwater.
Other Ways to Say: Shouting in the shower of silence, Yelling in the yolk of isolation, Crying in the current
21. Panning for Gold in a Parking Lot
Meaning: Searching for value in a worthless place.
In a Sentence:
Job hunting on expired listings is panning for gold in a parking lot.
Dating on catfishing apps is panning for gold in a parking lot.
Other Ways to Say: Mining asphalt for nuggets, Sieving concrete for coins, Digging tarmac for treasure
22. Teaching a Rock to Swim
Meaning: Trying to change something incapable of change.
In a Sentence:
Reasoning with a toddler mid-tantrum is teaching a rock to swim.
Reforming a corrupt system is teaching a rock to swim.
Other Ways to Say: Training stone to stroke, Coaching cobblestone to crawl, Instructing igneous to float
23. Spitting into the Wind of Change
Meaning: Resisting inevitable progress uselessly.
In a Sentence:
Banning smartphones in teens is spitting into the wind of change.
Fighting remote work is spitting into the wind of change.
Other Ways to Say: Drooling against the draft, Salivating into the storm, Moistening the momentum
24. Stacking Feathers in a Tornado
Meaning: Building something fragile in chaos.
In a Sentence:
Saving the marriage with lies is stacking feathers in a tornado.
Planning events in war zones is stacking feathers in a tornado.
Other Ways to Say: Piling plumes in a twister, Heaping fluff in a funnel, Balancing barbs in a blast
25. Writing Love Letters to a Black Hole
Meaning: Pouring affection into something that consumes without return.
In a Sentence:
Texting an ex who ghosted is writing love letters to a black hole.
Investing in a failing startup is writing love letters to a black hole.
Other Ways to Say: Penning passion to a void, Posting poems to a pit, Scripting sonnets to silence
26. Sweeping Sand off a Beach
Meaning: Endless, pointless cleaning.
In a Sentence:
Deleting spam emails is sweeping sand off a beach.
Correcting grammar online is sweeping sand off a beach.
Other Ways to Say: Brushing dunes daily, Dusting desert drifts, Raking the Sahara
27. Holding Back the Sunrise with a Blanket
Meaning: Delaying the inevitable.
In a Sentence:
Procrastinating deadlines is holding back the sunrise with a blanket.
Denying aging is holding back the sunrise with a blanket.
Other Ways to Say: Cloaking dawn with cotton, Covering daylight with duvet, Draping morning in darkness
28. Juggling Water Balloons
Meaning: Managing something that bursts on contact.
In a Sentence:
Handling fragile egos is juggling water balloons.
Keeping secrets in gossip circles is juggling water balloons.
Other Ways to Say: Tossing liquid orbs, Balancing burst bubbles, Catching clouds in cups
29. Nailing Jelly to a Wall
Meaning: Attempting to fix something slippery and unstable.
In a Sentence:
Setting schedules with flakes is nailing jelly to a wall.
Enforcing rules on rebels is nailing jelly to a wall.
Other Ways to Say: Pinning pudding to plaster, Hammering honey to hardwood, Tacking tofu to tile
30. Chasing Rainbows in a Windowless Room
Meaning: Seeking beauty or reward in a confined, dark space.
In a Sentence:
Hoping for promotion in a toxic workplace is chasing rainbows in a windowless room.
Dreaming of love on hate sites is chasing rainbows in a windowless room.
Other Ways to Say: Hunting hues in the hollow, Seeking spectrum in the cellar, Pursuing prisms in prison
31. Pouring Water into a Leaky Bucket
Meaning: Continuously losing what you add.
In a Sentence:
Saving in a gambling habit is pouring water into a leaky bucket.
Trusting a cheater is pouring water into a leaky bucket.
Other Ways to Say: Filling a sieve with fluid, Topping a torn tank, Refilling a ruptured reservoir
32. Whispering Sweet Nothings to a Statue
Meaning: Flattering someone who is unresponsive.
In a Sentence:
Complimenting a narcissist is whispering sweet nothings to a statue.
Praising a corrupt boss is whispering sweet nothings to a statue.
Other Ways to Say: Cooing to carved stone, Serenading sculpture, Romancing rock
33. Racing a Snail on Crutches
Meaning: Competing in a rigged, slow contest.
In a Sentence:
Debating facts with a conspiracy theorist is racing a snail on crutches.
Applying for jobs with AI filters is racing a snail on crutches.
Other Ways to Say: Sprinting with a sloth in shackles, Dashing against a drowsy turtle, Speeding with a sedated slug
34. Mending a Torn Spiderweb in a Storm
Meaning: Repairing something fragile during chaos.
In a Sentence:
Fixing the relationship during betrayal is mending a torn spiderweb in a storm.
Budgeting during inflation is mending a torn spiderweb in a storm.
Other Ways to Say: Patching silk in a cyclone, Stitching strands in a gale, Weaving web in wind
35. Carrying Coals to a Volcano
Meaning: Adding to an already overwhelming force.
In a Sentence:
Arguing with climate deniers is carrying coals to a volcano.
Bringing snacks to a buffet is carrying coals to a volcano.
Other Ways to Say: Hauling heat to Hades, Transporting torches to lava, Delivering fuel to the furnace
Related Post: 50 Idioms About Studying for Sharp and Busy Minds
36. Trying to Sculpt Steam
Meaning: Shaping something formless and temporary.
In a Sentence:
Controlling gossip is trying to sculpt steam.
Managing viral misinformation is trying to sculpt steam.
Other Ways to Say: Carving clouds, Molding mist, Chipping vapor
37. Fanning a Fire with a Paper Fan
Meaning: Weak effort against a strong force.
In a Sentence:
Negotiating with a dictator is fanning a fire with a paper fan.
Calming a riot with words is fanning a fire with a paper fan.
Other Ways to Say: Wafting flames with tissue, Breezing blaze with cardboard, Cooling conflagration with confetti
38. Planting Tulips in a Blizzard
Meaning: Starting something delicate in harsh conditions.
In a Sentence:
Launching a startup in a crash is planting tulips in a blizzard.
Falling in love during war is planting tulips in a blizzard.
Other Ways to Say: Sowing roses in a snowstorm, Bedding blooms in a freeze, Cultivating color in cold
39. Catching Butterflies with a Fork
Meaning: Using the wrong tool for a delicate task.
In a Sentence:
Parenting teens with lectures is catching butterflies with a fork.
Networking on hate platforms is catching butterflies with a fork.
Other Ways to Say: Netting nymphs with needles, Trapping flutter with tines, Pinning petals with prongs
40. Measuring the Ocean with a Teaspoon
Meaning: Assessing something vast with tiny means.
In a Sentence:
Judging character by one tweet is measuring the ocean with a teaspoon.
Predicting trends from one day is measuring the ocean with a teaspoon.
Other Ways to Say: Gauging the galaxy with a thimble, Quantifying the cosmos with a cup, Scaling the sea with a spoon
41. Tying Knots in a Stream
Meaning: Trying to control the flow, changing things.
In a Sentence:
Planning life rigidly is tying knots in a stream.
Controlling children’s futures is tying knots in a stream.
Other Ways to Say: Lassoing liquid, Roping rivers, Binding brooks
42. Painting Stripes on a Tornado
Meaning: Adding order to chaos.
In a Sentence:
Organizing a hoarder’s home is painting stripes on a tornado.
Regulating social media is painting stripes on a tornado.
Other Ways to Say: Coloring cyclones, Striping storms, Patterning pandemonium
43. Whistling Dixie in a Cemetery
Meaning: Being unrealistically optimistic in grim reality.
In a Sentence:
Expecting fairness in corruption is whistling Dixie in a cemetery.
Hoping for peace in war is whistling Dixie in a cemetery.
Other Ways to Say: Humming hope in a graveyard, Singing sunshine in shadows, Tunes in the tomb
44. Stitching Clouds with Thread
Meaning: Joining things that can’t be connected.
In a Sentence:
Reconciling oil and water values is stitching clouds with thread.
Merging rival gangs is stitching clouds with thread.
Other Ways to Say: Sewing sky with string, Knitting vapor with yarn, Patching puffs with pins
45. Herding Butterflies with a Hammer
Meaning: Using force on something delicate.
In a Sentence:
Disciplining creatives with rules is herding butterflies with a hammer.
Motivating artists with threats is herding butterflies with a hammer.
Other Ways to Say: Rounding rainbows with a mallet, Corralling color with a club, Guiding grace with a gavel
46. Baking Bread in a Snowstorm
Meaning: Attempting comfort in hostile conditions.
In a Sentence:
Finding peace in abuse is baking bread in a snowstorm.
Building trust in betrayal is baking bread in a snowstorm.
Other Ways to Say: Cooking comfort in cold, Roasting refuge in rain, Grilling warmth in wind
47. Counting Grains of Sand in a Dust Storm
Meaning: Tracking details in overwhelming chaos.
In a Sentence:
Monitoring lies in propaganda is counting grains of sand in a dust storm.
Balancing books in fraud is counting grains of sand in a dust storm.
Other Ways to Say: Tallying dust in a gale, Numbering particles in a whirlwind, Quantifying quartz in chaos
48. Threading a Needle in a Hurricane
Meaning: Precision work in turbulent conditions.
In a Sentence:
Negotiating peace in war is threading a needle in a hurricane.
Focusing during panic is threading a needle in a hurricane.
Other Ways to Say: Stitching in a storm, Sewing in a cyclone, Piercing in a tempest
49. Planting Flags on Quicksand
Meaning: Claiming victory on unstable ground.
In a Sentence:
Boasting success in scams is planting flags on quicksand.
Celebrating early wins is planting flags on quicksand.
Other Ways to Say: Raising banners in bogs, Hoisting honors in ooze, Staking signs in sludge
50. Winking at a Blind Man
Meaning: Gesturing meaninglessly to someone oblivious.
In a Sentence:
Flirting with a monk is winking at a blind man.
Hinting truth to deniers is winking at a blind man.
Other Ways to Say: Smiling at stone, Signaling to statues, Blinking at blankness
Exercise to Practice – Idioms for Futility and Useless Effort
- The department head insisted on a detailed meeting to discuss the new coffee machine policy, even though the company was filing for bankruptcy next week. Everyone felt he was simply _______________________________________.
- Arguing logical facts with the talk show host was a pointless endeavor; the guest knew he was _______________________________________ as the host simply talked over him.
- The city spent millions trying to block the construction of a new highway, but because the federal mandate was already signed, the council knew their resistance was effectively _______________________________________.
- Trying to keep the house perfectly tidy immediately after the puppies came home from the shelter felt like _______________________________________—the mess reappeared instantly.
- The team spent six months developing a perfect strategy for a market that was fundamentally volatile and unpredictable; attempting to enforce such rigid control felt like _______________________________________.
- The activist kept posting lengthy, well-researched arguments in the comment section of the aggressively hostile and cynical news site, but she quickly realized she was only _______________________________________.
- The young intern tried to save his small earnings by putting them in a savings account, but his excessive spending on takeout and luxury goods meant he was constantly _______________________________________.
- His startup, which focused on selling physical media, was launched right when streaming services dominated the market. Investing his life savings felt like _______________________________________.
- When he tried to schedule a fixed meeting time with three different busy, independent creative directors across three time zones, he quickly learned that organizing the workflow was _______________________________________.
- The detective continued to follow the convoluted, unreliable timeline provided by the single, known liar, worried that he was spending valuable resources _______________________________________ instead of looking at the physical evidence.
Answer Key
- Polishing Brass on a Sinking Ship
- Whispering to a Brick Wall
- Spitting into the Wind of Change
- Rolling a Boulder Up a Melting Iceberg
- Tying Knots in a Stream
- Shouting into the Void of Silence
- Pouring Water into a Leaky Bucket
- Planting Seeds in a Salt Flat
- Herding Cats with a Feather Duster
- Chasing Shadows in a Dark Room
Conclusion
The struggle to accurately capture wasted effort is over. By integrating these powerful Idioms for Futility, you gain the linguistic depth required to depict disappointment and failure with dramatic effect. Don’t let your descriptions of ‘going nowhere’ fall flat; make the commitment today to start using these vivid phrases in your writing. Master these idioms, and ensure your descriptions of futility are anything but!
Danny Weber is a language enthusiast and freelance writer with a passion for unpacking the beauty of idioms and metaphors. Through years of research and creative exploration, Danny helps readers understand the deeper meanings behind familiar phrases—making figurative language feel accessible, engaging, and alive. Whether he’s decoding classic sayings or crafting new twists on old expressions, Danny’s work invites you to see language with fresh eyes.
