blue in the face
Arguing without result
Blue in the face describes the state of exhausted frustration from prolonged, futile effort—typically arguing or pleading without effect.
The image is of someone who has talked so long they've run out of breath: You can argue until you're blue in the face, but she won't change her mind.
Almost always appears with "until" or "till."
Lacking any purpose
- uselessWithout practical value
- fruitlessProducing no useful outcome
- vainExcessively proud or futile
- hopelessBeyond possibility of success
ineffective · unavailing · to no avail · wasted · unproductive · in vain · futile · bootless
Lacking air, gasping
- windedShort of breath
- gaspingBreathing in sharp gulps
- pantingRapid labored breathing
- hoarseRough in voice
strained · worn out · drained · spent · fatigued · depleted · exerted · overexerted
Intensely irritated, patience gone
- frustratedAnnoyed by obstacles
- irritatedSlightly angered or bothered
- annoyedMildly vexed
- fumingExtremely angry, visibly so
fed up · impatient · aggravated · vexed · beside oneself · worked up · overwrought · agitated
Firmly demanding attention
- relentlessContinuing without pause
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- stubbornRefusing to change course
- doggedStubbornly persevering
tireless · unrelenting · obstinate · tenacious · repeatedly · endlessly · incessantly · adamant
pointless
Lacking any purpose
hopeless · ineffective · unavailing · to no avail · wasted · unproductive · in vain · futile · bootless · for nothing
breathless
Lacking air, gasping
hoarse · strained · worn out · drained · spent · fatigued · depleted · exerted · overexerted · out of breath
exasperated
Intensely irritated, patience gone
- frustratedAnnoyed by obstacles
- irritatedSlightly angered or bothered
- annoyedMildly vexed
fuming · fed up · impatient · aggravated · vexed · beside oneself · worked up · overwrought · agitated · frazzled
insistent
Firmly demanding attention
- relentlessContinuing without pause
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- stubbornRefusing to change course
dogged · tireless · unrelenting · obstinate · tenacious · repeatedly · endlessly · incessantly · adamant · unceasing
blue in the facecalm
Free from agitation
serene · composed · cool as a cucumber · unruffled · placid
blue in the faceresigned
Yielded to circumstances
accepting · acquiescent · letting it go · surrendered · unbothered
blue in the facesilent
Producing no sound
mute · wordless · tight-lipped · taciturn · saying nothing
face, blue, surface, faced, blueprint, facade, facet, facial, deface