Reverse Dictionary: FUTILE

ADJECTIVES
► ADDLE empty, idle, vain, useless, futile → a1593
► FECKLESS of things: ineffective, feeble, futile, valueless, worthless → 1599 orig. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
► FOOTY insignificant, worthless, despicable, futile → 18C sl.
► FUTILITARIAN devoted to futile, worthless or useless pursuits → 1873
► FUTILITOUS futile → 1765 obs.
► FUTILOUS futile, worthless, trifling → 1607 obs.
► NUGACIOUS trivial, trifling, futile; of no moment or importance → 1652
► SHITTY tedious, futile → 1920s US sl.
► TOOM useless, vain, futile → a1250 obs.
► USELESS AS TITS ON A BOAR absolutely useless or futile → 1940s US sl.
► VAIN of persons: devoid of sense or wisdom; foolish, silly, thoughtless; of an idle or futile nature or disposition → 1390 obs.

NOUNS
► TURKEY anything inferior, stupid, or futile → 1941 US sl.

NOUNS – PERSON
► FUTILITARIAN one who pursues what is futile, worthless or useless → 1827

PHRASES
► THREE BLUE BEANS IN A BLUE BLADDER ► THREE BLUE BEANS IN ONE BLUE BLADDER futile, pointless (if noisy) talk → L16 sl.
► YOU CAN’T FIGHT CITY HALL it is futile to pit yourself against the political or other chiefs and their establishment; it is foolish to take on a battle you cannot possibly win → 1970s

VERBS
► BEAT THE AIR to fight to no purpose or against no opposition; to make futile attempts → c1375
► BEAT THE WATER to fight to no purpose or against no opposition; to make futile attempts → 1579 obs.
► BEAT THE WIND to fight to no purpose or against no opposition; to make futile attempts → 1815
► FLOG A DEAD HORSE to expend effort ineffectually or futilely → 1872
► FUTILIZE to make futile → 1766
► MILK A DRY COW to waste time on a futile activity → 1945 US Western sl. (Bk.)
► PISS AGAINST THE WIND to act ineffectually; to waste one’s time; to attempt something futile → 1642 sl.
► PISS-BALL ABOUT to act in a futile or an irritating manner → c1920 sl.
► PISS IN THE WIND to behave ineffectually; to waste one’s time, to attempt something futile → 1970 sl.
► PISS INTO THE WIND to make a futile effort → 2012 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► POUND SAND DOWN A RAT-HOLE to occupy oneself at a futile or useless task → 1958 Amer. dial.