wasted breath
Words without effect
Wasted breath is speech that accomplishes nothing—words spent on someone who won't listen or a cause that's hopeless.
The phrase treats breath as a finite resource squandered on futility: Arguing with him is wasted breath.
Often appears with verbs of expenditure: Don't waste your breath, Save your breath.
- lost causeEndeavor certain to fail
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
- resignationVoluntary relinquishment of position
- silent protestVoiceless act of resistance
- hopelessnessState without hope
beating a dead horse · futility · discouragement · disappointment · weariness · pointless · deaf ears · exasperation · pleading · voice in the wilderness · unheeded · indifference · apathy
waste, wasted, wastes, wasting, wasteful, wastefully, wastefulness, wastage, wasteland