A sentence, proverb or two-part allegorical saying that means to be busy for nothing.

Draw water with a bamboo basket-use a sieve

Blind people fight mosquitoes-in vain

A blind man lit a lamp. Still in vain, useless)

Looking for the moon under the water-in vain (figuratively speaking, it took a lot of effort but nothing)

Ducks hatch chickens-no pains, no gains.

Fishing for the moon in the sea is in vain.

Meat buns hit dogs-throwing things in vain (metaphor for paying the price in vain, no effect)

Standing on the river bank fishing for the moon-it's no use.

My son doesn't adopt a mother-it hurts for nothing.

Telling stories to the deaf-in vain

The tortoise wants to ride the Phoenix back to daydreaming.

Looking for fur on turtle shells-it's a waste of time.

There is no water in the pot-it's a waste (burning).

Looking for the moon in the sea-in vain

Water the roots of dead trees-in vain. "

Advise cows not to eat grass-it's a waste of breath.

Looking for the moon in the water-in vain

Pecking rice according to the head of a chicken-in vain

Playing lanterns during the day-it's no use

Stir-fried leeks and onions-no use

Dai Xiao, Master of Huang Cheng-Running in vain (robe)

Drive the sparrows off the wall-in vain; In vain; waste of money

Onions on the road-in vain; In vain; waste of money

Take a bowl to grab a ready-made meal-eat it for free.

When a monk doesn't ring the bell-eat for free

Rice is white (rice grains) after peeling.

Light a candle under the lamp-waste wax

Lime stool-free of charge

Bean cake to satisfy hunger-white joy; Empty happiness; Empty happiness

Tofu cushion bed foot-white

Axe splitting water-in vain

The deaf play the flute-in vain; In vain; waste of money

The night watchman dozed off-for nothing.

Fishing in Dry Land-White Fishing

The fly falls in the toad's mouth-give a bite of meat for free; The food delivered.

Looking for the moon in the sea-busy in vain; Busy for nothing

Rats as bats-staying up all night for nothing

A mouse fell into the jar-looking at people with dirty eyes.

Chickens hatch duck eggs-it's a waste of time; Busy for nothing

Soy sauce in jiaozi-useless.

Lime under your feet-running in vain

Leaflets on the street-free

A gentleman who doesn't break the law goes to jail-for nothing.

Shit in your pocket-waste of time

Have loose bowels and take tonic-useless; Unemployed officers; useless

Bad bridge connection-useless; difficult

A mouse gnawing a rolling pin-a waste of teeth

It's a waste of teeth for a mouse to chew a stone.

The mouse bit the rope of the rice basket-it was in vain.

The deaf go to the opera-in vain; Self-effort; waste of money

Donkey's head into the milk bucket-free to eat

Donkey Swallows Grey Noodles (White Noodles)-Free to eat

The mouse went into the pocket-it was a waste of time.

Sparrows fall into the chaff heap-white happiness; Empty happiness; Empty happiness

Leaflets on the road-free

Ants move weight-in vain; In vain; waste of money

It is a waste for blind people to light candles.

The clay sculpture in the temple-Bai Chang has a mouth

Buckwheat blooms-white

Oil on the beach-useless

Lime factory opens-from scratch

Lime paving-walking in vain

Look at the rooster lay eggs. -It's no use.

The deceased wore new shoes-white garbage

Look at the stars in the sun-daydreaming; dream

Playing the golden lock in the blacksmith's shop-in vain; In vain; waste of money

The land god wears plain clothes-running in vain (robes)

Sprinkle water on the sand-pour it for nothing.

Xue's wardrobe-running in vain (robe)

Blow the net bag hard-in vain; In vain; waste of money

Put lime on your mouth-in vain; Free meals

Take the bus without buying a ticket-it's no use.