"on a fool's errand" in Chinese (Simplified)

• 做徒劳无功的事
• 徒劳的差事

Definition

如果你“做徒劳无功的事”，就是在做一件没有结果、注定失败或浪费时间的事情。

Usage Notes (Chinese (Simplified))

这个表达属于比较口语和幽默的说法，用来描述注定徒劳或不可能成功的事情。常用于形容因为恶作剧、误会或不切实际的期待而做的事情，不用于严重失败。

Examples

He sent me on a fool's errand to find a shop that doesn't exist.

他让我**做徒劳无功的事**，去找一家不存在的商店。

Don't go on a fool's errand—that tool is lost forever.

别去**做徒劳无功的事**了——那个工具早就找不到了。

She realized she was on a fool's errand and turned back.

她意识到自己在**做徒劳无功的事**，于是掉头回来了。

At some point, I knew I was on a fool's errand, so I gave up.

到某个时候，我知道自己**在做徒劳无功的事**，所以放弃了。

My boss sent me on a fool's errand just to keep me busy for an hour.

老板让我**做徒劳无功的事**，只是为了让我忙一小时。

If you try to reason with him, you'll be on a fool's errand—he never listens.

如果你试图和他讲道理，你就是**在做徒劳无功的事**——他从不听。