plow the sands

To do something that seems futile. I know that I'm just plowing the sands by telling you to stay away from that boy, but I'm your father, and I don't want to see you get hurt. That couch will never fit up the steps—tell them to stop plowing the sands!

plough the sand

labour uselessly.

Ploughing the sand has been a proverbial image of fruitless activity since the late 16th century.

See also: plough, sand

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

See also:

be (as) hearty as a buck
address comments or remarks to
address (one's) comments to (someone or something)
address (one's) remarks to (someone or something)
be at a disadvantage
at a disadvantage
be (as) serious as a heart attack
as you know
a run on (something)
a rush on (something)

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