Can't fight city hall Meaning in English

expression

US

KANT FYT SIT-ee HAWL

UK

KAHNT FYT SIT-ee HAWL

Definition

This expression means it's impossible or pointless to fight against the government, authorities, or an established system, because they are too powerful or big to defeat.

Usage & Nuances

This is an informal, somewhat resigned phrase, used when accepting that you can't change government rules or official decisions. It's usually said about bureaucracy, regulations, or large institutions, not about actual physical fighting.

• Spanish: no se puede luchar contra el gobierno - es inútil luchar contra la autoridad
• Portuguese (BR): não se pode lutar contra o governo - não adianta lutar contra o sistema
• Portuguese (PT): não se pode lutar contra o sistema - não vale a pena lutar contra as autoridades
• Chinese (Simplified): 无法对抗政府 - 无法对抗体制
• Chinese (Traditional): 無法對抗政府 - 無法對抗體制
• Hindi: सरकारी व्यवस्था से लड़ना बेकार है - सिस्टम से लड़ना व्यर्थ है
• Arabic: لا يمكنك مقاومة الحكومة - لا جدوى من مواجهة النظام
• Bengali: সরকারের সঙ্গে যুদ্ধ করে লাভ নেই - কর্তৃপক্ষের সঙ্গে লড়াই করে কিছু হয় না
• Russian: бесполезно бороться с государством - против системы не попрёшь
• Japanese: 役所には逆らえない - お役所には勝てない
• Vietnamese: không thể đấu lại chính quyền - không thể thắng được bộ máy nhà nước
• Korean: 관청과 싸워봤자 소용없다 - 정부에 맞서봤자 이길 수 없다
• Turkish: devletle başa çıkılmaz - sisteme karşı gelinmez
• Urdu: حکومت سے لڑنا فضول ہے - نظام کے خلاف لڑنا بے سود ہے
• Indonesian: tidak bisa melawan pemerintah - melawan birokrasi itu sia-sia

Example Sentences

I want to change the parking rules, but I can't fight city hall.

basic

She complained, but realized she can't fight city hall.

basic

After many attempts, we saw that we can't fight city hall.

basic

You know what they say—you can't fight city hall.

natural

I tried to appeal the tax, but apparently, you can't fight city hall.

natural

Sometimes you just have to accept that you can't fight city hall and move on.

natural