waste one's efforts; rack one's brains in vain
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to waste one's efforts; to rack one's brains to no avail
Used when efforts are wasted because the goal is impossible or the approach is wrong.
Nǐ你
gēn跟
tā他
jiǎng讲
dào道
lǐ理
，
jiǎn简
zhí直
shì是
wǎng枉
fèi费
xīn心
jī机
。
Trying to reason with him is simply a waste of effort.
Tā他
xiǎng想
shōu收
mǎi买
fǎ法
guān官
，
jié结
guǒ果
wǎng枉
fèi费
xīn心
jī机
。
He tried to bribe the judge, but it was all in vain.
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Bié别
wǎng枉
fèi费
xīn心
jī机
le了
，
zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
bù不
kě可
néng能
chéng成
gōng功
de的
。
Don't waste your efforts; this matter cannot possibly succeed.