impossible task
Guaranteed to fail
An impossible task is something that cannot be accomplished, whether due to logical contradiction, physical limitations, or overwhelming difficulty.
The phrase often carries dramatic weight: They've given me an impossible task.
Sometimes used hyperbolically for things that are merely very hard: Getting him to apologize is an impossible task.
- insurmountableImpossible to overcome
- heavy liftingArduous physical or mental exertion
- tall orderDifficult request to fulfill
- hopelessBeyond possibility of success
- no-win situationDilemma without good outcomes
futile · unachievable · quixotic · fool's errand · uphill battle · bridge too far · lost cause · brick wall · dead end · overwhelm · daunting · defeat · struggle · pipe dream · wild goose chase · needle in a haystack · tilting at windmills · monumental
- story tropesquest, hero's journey, plot twist, chosen one, red herring
- unreasonable demandsunpaid labor, weekend work, rush job, scope creep, moving goalposts
- folktalesfolktales, animal fables, folktale, moral fables, fairy tales
- quest typeshero's journey, grail quest, odyssey, epic journey, treasure hunt
- Russian folktalesBaba Yaga, firebird, golden fish, snow maiden, chicken legs
impossible taskwithin reach
Close enough to grasp
sure thing · foregone conclusion · low-hanging fruit · slam dunk
impossible taskpiece of cake
Idiomatic easy task
child's play · walk in the park · cakewalk · cinch · no-brainer
impossible tasksure thing
Guaranteed outcome or agreement
foregone conclusion · certainty · safe bet · done deal · fait accompli
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