catch flies (B1)
phrase
Pronunciation: /kætʃ flaɪz/
Definition
To do something that is completely useless or a waste of time, often because it is impossible to achieve or has no real purpose.
Examples
He's been trying to fix that old car for months, but he's just catching flies.
I've been applying for jobs all day, but I feel like I'm catching flies - nothing seems to be working out.
The new policy is so unrealistic that it's just catching flies - nobody will actually follow it.
How to Use catch flies
- catch flies with (prepositional phrase)
- to try to achieve something that is impossible or useless — "He's been trying to catch flies with his new business idea, but it's not working out."
- waste time catching flies (idiomatic expression)
- to spend time doing something that has no real purpose or benefit — "I've been wasting time catching flies all day, I need to focus on something more productive."
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