get/pour/put a quart into a pint pot

get a quart into a pint pot

To cram too much into a small container or space. (A quart is a larger amount than a pint, so getting a quart into a pint pot is impossible.) Primarily heard in UK. A: "Just sit on my suitcase while I try zipping it again." B: "Oh, quit trying to get a quart into a pint pot." You won't even be able to lift that box if you keep trying to get a quart into a pint pot! Keep in mind that we have other boxes, so there's no need to get a quart into a pint pot here.

See also: get, pint, pot, quart

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

get (or fit) a quart into a pint pot

attempt to do the impossible, especially when this takes the form of trying to fit something into a space that is too small. British

See also: get, pint, pot, quart

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

get/pour/put a ˌquart into a pint ˈpot

(British English) try to do something impossible, especially to try to put something into a space which is too small for it: 30 people in this small room! You can’t put a quart into a pint pot, you know.

A pint is 0.568 litres and a quart is 1.136 litres.

See also: get, pint, pot, pour, put, quart

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017