Learn English – Pouring from empty to empty

idiom-requestidiomsphrase-request

How to translate to english from a foreign language an idiom that uses two different words that have the same meaning “empty”, to say “pouring from empty to empty”, which means if you pour something from one empty vessel into another empty vessel your achieve nothing.

Specifically, I am asking for an idiom that means: talking about something again and again ( wasting time) without a real desire to solve a problem. What would be the nearest equivalent in English language?

Best Answer

"Beating a dead horse" means you are doing something that will have no effect (horses are hit with whips to make them run faster, but if your horse is dead, no amount of whipping will make it move)

There's no point trying to fix the photocopier; you're just beating a dead horse. It needs a new part so just wait until the repairman comes.

"Going round in circles" means making no progress to reach a decision.

John and his team have been going round in circles trying to design a new logo. John wants something simple but other people in the team keep adding details.

Related Topic