Idioms are short, colorful expressions that don’t always mean what the words literally say. Instead, they carry a hidden meaning shaped by culture, history, and daily life.
Learning idioms can help you sound more natural, witty, and fluent in English. They make conversations more lively, add humor, and sometimes soften criticism.
In this article, we’ll explore idioms connected to the idea of uselessness. These idioms are powerful tools when you want to describe something that has no purpose, is a waste of time, or adds no value.
By mastering them, you’ll not only expand your vocabulary but also understand native speakers better in casual talks, movies, and even professional settings.
Did You Know?
The word idiom comes from the Greek word idiōma, which means “peculiar phrase.” Many idioms for “useless” have roots in farming, war, and seafaring — places where something without value could literally mean the difference between success and failure.
Idioms About Worthless Things
1. A Dead End
Meaning: Something with no future or progress.
Example: “This plan is a dead end; we should try another approach.”
Similar Idiom: Going nowhere.
Note: Often used in business or personal decisions.
2. A White Elephant
Meaning: Something expensive but useless.
Example: “That old stadium is a white elephant now.”
Similar Idiom: Money pit.
Note: Common in financial or property contexts.
3. Fool’s Gold
Meaning: Something that looks valuable but is actually worthless.
Example: “Investing in that scheme was like chasing fool’s gold.”
Similar Idiom: Empty promise.
Note: Often linked to money and investments.
4. Dead Weight
Meaning: A burden that adds no value.
Example: “He’s just dead weight on this project.”
Similar Idiom: Ball and chain.
Note: Used in teams or relationships.
5. Not Worth a Penny
Meaning: Completely without value.
Example: “That broken toy isn’t worth a penny.”
Similar Idiom: Worthless junk.
Note: Simple, everyday expression.
6. A Waste of Space
Meaning: Someone or something useless.
Example: “That old machine is just a waste of space.”
Similar Idiom: Taking up room.
Note: Informal, often harsh.
7. Like a Chocolate Teapot
Meaning: Completely impractical or useless.
Example: “An umbrella in a storm is like a chocolate teapot.”
Similar Idiom: About as much use as a screen door on a submarine.
Note: British origin, humorous.
8. Of No Use
Meaning: Having no benefit.
Example: “This broken phone is of no use to me.”
Similar Idiom: Useless.
Note: Neutral, works in formal or informal tone.
9. Like Bringing Sand to the Beach
Meaning: Doing something unnecessary or useless.
Example: “Bringing more snacks to the party is like bringing sand to the beach.”
Similar Idiom: Carrying coals to Newcastle.
Note: Very idiomatic, informal.
10. Not Worth the Paper It’s Written On
Meaning: Something without value, like a bad contract.
Example: “That fake certificate isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.”
Similar Idiom: Empty document.
Note: Legal or professional settings.
Idioms About Useless Efforts
11. Beating a Dead Horse
Meaning: Wasting time on something settled or useless.
Example: “Arguing about it now is like beating a dead horse.”
Similar Idiom: Pointless effort.
Note: Common in debates and meetings.
12. Spinning Your Wheels
Meaning: Putting in effort without results.
Example: “I’ve been spinning my wheels trying to fix this old car.”
Similar Idiom: Running in circles.
Note: Informal, often workplace related.
13. Barking Up the Wrong Tree
Meaning: Wasting effort in the wrong direction.
Example: “If you think I caused the problem, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
Similar Idiom: Looking in the wrong place.
Note: Informal, everyday speech.
14. A Wild Goose Chase
Meaning: A hopeless or pointless pursuit.
Example: “Looking for that file was a wild goose chase.”
Similar Idiom: Chasing shadows.
Note: Neutral, works in stories and conversations.
15. Chasing Rainbows
Meaning: Trying to achieve the impossible.
Example: “He’s chasing rainbows with that business idea.”
Similar Idiom: Building castles in the air.
Note: Slightly poetic, everyday use.
16. Pouring Water into a Sieve
Meaning: Wasting time on something impossible.
Example: “Teaching him is like pouring water into a sieve.”
Similar Idiom: Filling a bottomless pit.
Note: Informal, metaphorical.
17. Like Talking to a Brick Wall
Meaning: Trying to communicate with someone who won’t listen.
Example: “Explaining it to him is like talking to a brick wall.”
Similar Idiom: Falling on deaf ears.
Note: Daily life conversations.
18. Throwing Good Money After Bad
Meaning: Spending more on something already lost.
Example: “Fixing that car again is just throwing good money after bad.”
Similar Idiom: Sinking money into a hole.
Note: Business or financial discussions.
19. Carrying Water in a Basket
Meaning: Trying something impossible.
Example: “Convincing him is like carrying water in a basket.”
Similar Idiom: Pouring water into a sieve.
Note: Old proverb-style idiom.
20. Knocking on Closed Doors
Meaning: Trying to do something hopeless.
Example: “Applying there again is just knocking on closed doors.”
Similar Idiom: Beating a dead horse.
Note: Everyday advice.
Idioms About Useless People
21. Good-for-Nothing
Meaning: A person who is useless.
Example: “He’s such a good-for-nothing, never helps at all.”
Similar Idiom: Layabout.
Note: Informal, often insulting.
22. A Spare Part
Meaning: Someone unnecessary in a group.
Example: “At the party, I felt like a spare part.”
Similar Idiom: Third wheel.
Note: Social contexts.
23. A Deadbeat
Meaning: Someone lazy and unproductive.
Example: “She left her deadbeat husband.”
Similar Idiom: Slacker.
Note: Harsh, informal.
24. Useless as a Screen Door on a Submarine
Meaning: Someone or something completely useless.
Example: “He’s about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.”
Similar Idiom: Chocolate teapot.
Note: Humorous, informal.
25. All Talk and No Action
Meaning: Someone who promises but never acts.
Example: “He’s all talk and no action when it comes to helping.”
Similar Idiom: Empty words.
Note: Daily conversations.
26. Dead Loss
Meaning: A person or thing with no value.
Example: “That project is a dead loss.”
Similar Idiom: Hopeless case.
Note: Common in British English.
27. A Third Wheel
Meaning: An unnecessary person in a group.
Example: “I felt like a third wheel on their date.”
Similar Idiom: Spare part.
Note: Social and informal.
28. A Couch Potato
Meaning: A lazy person who does nothing.
Example: “Stop being such a couch potato and do something.”
Similar Idiom: Lazybones.
Note: Informal, often joking.
29. A Freeloader
Meaning: Someone who takes advantage of others without giving.
Example: “He’s just a freeloader at our house.”
Similar Idiom: Moocher.
Note: Harsh, informal.
30. A Lost Cause
Meaning: Someone who cannot be helped or improved.
Example: “Teaching him is a lost cause.”
Similar Idiom: Hopeless case.
Note: Neutral, often used in academics or work.
Idioms About Futility and Wasted Time
31. Pushing Water Uphill
Meaning: Doing something impossible or pointless.
Example: “Trying to fix that old system is like pushing water uphill.”
Similar Idiom: Fighting a losing battle.
Note: Workplace or technical contexts.
32. Chasing Shadows
Meaning: Running after something unreal.
Example: “He spends his time chasing shadows instead of real goals.”
Similar Idiom: Wild goose chase.
Note: Poetic, but common.
33. Fighting a Losing Battle
Meaning: Struggling without chance of success.
Example: “I’m fighting a losing battle trying to keep this computer alive.”
Similar Idiom: Up against it.
Note: Work or personal struggles.
34. Running in Circles
Meaning: Making no progress.
Example: “We’ve been running in circles with this project.”
Similar Idiom: Spinning wheels.
Note: Neutral, professional or casual.
35. Tilting at Windmills
Meaning: Fighting imaginary or useless battles.
Example: “He’s tilting at windmills with his complaints.”
Similar Idiom: Barking at the moon.
Note: Literary, inspired by Don Quixote.
36. A Drop in the Ocean
Meaning: Too small to make a difference.
Example: “That donation was just a drop in the ocean.”
Similar Idiom: A drop in the bucket.
Note: Neutral, everyday use.
37. Empty Gesture
Meaning: An action that means nothing.
Example: “His apology was just an empty gesture.”
Similar Idiom: Hollow words.
Note: Often used in politics or relationships.
38. Going Nowhere Fast
Meaning: Not making progress despite effort.
Example: “This argument is going nowhere fast.”
Similar Idiom: Dead end.
Note: Informal but common.
39. Worthless Junk
Meaning: Something with no value at all.
Example: “That car is worthless junk now.”
Similar Idiom: Scrap heap.
Note: Simple, blunt, everyday use.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
- Speaking: Use idioms in friendly chats to sound natural. Example: Instead of saying “That’s not useful,” say “That’s like a chocolate teapot.”
- Writing: Idioms enrich creative writing, blogs, and even professional emails when used carefully. Example: “Without clear goals, our project risks becoming a wild goose chase.”
- Professional usage: In meetings, idioms like “fighting a losing battle” or “throwing good money after bad” make your point sharp and memorable.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Using them literally
❌ “I saw a dead horse yesterday; we kept beating it.”
✔ “Arguing further is like beating a dead horse.” - Mixing idioms incorrectly
❌ “He’s a dead goose chase.”
✔ “Looking for him was a wild goose chase.” - Overusing idioms in one sentence
❌ “He’s dead weight, chasing rainbows, and barking up a brick wall.”
✔ Use one idiom at a time for clarity.
FAQs
1. Are idioms for useless formal or informal?
Most are informal, but some like “not worth the paper it’s written on” or “dead loss” can be used in formal writing.
2. Can idioms be used in exams or essays?
Yes, if the context allows. Just avoid slang-heavy idioms in academic essays.
3. Do native speakers really use these idioms?
Absolutely. Phrases like “wild goose chase” or “beating a dead horse” are common in everyday speech.
4. How can I remember idioms better?
Connect them with images or situations. For example, picture trying to use a chocolate teapot—it helps memory.
5. Are idioms the same in British and American English?
Some are shared, but others differ. For example, “carrying coals to Newcastle” is British, while Americans might say “bringing sand to the beach.”
Conclusion
Idioms make English colorful, powerful, and fun. When it comes to describing useless things, people, or efforts, these expressions add humor and sharpness that plain words often lack.
Whether you’re talking about wasted time, worthless items, or impossible tasks, these idioms give you the perfect way to express frustration, irony, or wit. Practice using them in your conversations and writing, and you’ll not only sound more fluent but also more engaging.
