Joey
Idioms for Useless might sound like a strange phrase at first why would we need special sayings for that? But English is full of colorful ways to talk about things (or people!) that just aren’t helpful.
Idioms are fun phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say. They help us express our thoughts in a creative, playful way kind of like painting with words. Instead of saying someone isn’t helpful, we use clever expressions to show it without being too direct.
For example, have you ever heard someone say “as useful as a chocolate teapot”? It sounds silly, right? That’s because a teapot made of chocolate would melt so it’s completely useless! These kinds of phrases make language more fun and meaningful.
By learning idioms for useless, you’ll discover how to express frustration, humor, or honesty in a smart and less hurtful way. Let’s explore these witty expressions and make your English feel more natural and exciting!
A drop in the ocean
1. A drop in the ocean
Meaning
This means something is very, very small compared to what is really needed. Like adding one drop of water to a whole ocean—it doesn’t make much difference.
When to Use It
Use it when someone is trying to help or fix a big problem, but the help is too tiny to matter much.
In a Sentence
I gave one toy to the shelter, but it felt like a drop in the ocean.
He gave one dollar to help, but she said it was just a drop in the ocean.
Other Ways to Say
- Just a little bit
- Barely made a difference
- Tiny help
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Imagine trying to fill a swimming pool with an eyedropper—drip, drip—it would take forever! That’s how small a “drop in the ocean” is.
2. Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic
Meaning
This means doing something that looks useful but really isn’t helping at all. Like moving chairs around on a sinking ship—it doesn’t stop the ship from sinking.
When to Use It
Use it when someone is fixing the small stuff while ignoring the big problem.
In a Sentence
I was fixing typos, but the report was wrong—I was just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
They kept moving furniture, but the roof still leaked. It felt like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
Other Ways to Say
- Wasting time
- Focusing on the wrong thing
- Missing the big picture
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Picture people fixing their hair while the ship is sinking—looks silly, right? That’s the idea behind this phrase!
3. Beating a dead horse
Meaning
This idiom means to keep talking about or trying something that’s already over. Like hitting a horse that’s not getting up—because it’s already gone.
When to Use It
Use it when someone keeps bringing up something that’s already finished and can’t be changed.
In a Sentence
I kept asking for a new toy, but Mom said I was beating a dead horse.
He talked again about the lost game, and his friends told him to stop beating a dead horse.
Other Ways to Say
- Let it go
- Move on
- It’s over
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Think of yelling at a game that’s already ended—you can’t change the score, no matter how loud you yell!
4. Going around in circles
Meaning
This means trying the same thing over and over without getting anywhere. Like walking in a big circle—you end up where you started.
When to Use It
Use it when someone keeps trying to solve a problem but never makes real progress.
In a Sentence
I tried to build the puzzle, but I was going around in circles.
They kept talking but didn’t decide anything—they were just going around in circles.
Other Ways to Say
- Not getting anywhere
- Stuck in the same place
- Wasting time
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Imagine a dog chasing its tail—it keeps spinning, but never catches it. That’s what this idiom means!
5. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning
This means blaming the wrong person or looking in the wrong place. Like a dog barking at a tree where the squirrel isn’t hiding.
When to Use It
Use it when someone makes a mistake about what or who the problem really is.
In a Sentence
I thought Leo broke my toy, but I was barking up the wrong tree.
She told the teacher the wrong answer—she was barking up the wrong tree.
Other Ways to Say
- Made a mistake
- Got it wrong
- Looking in the wrong place
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Picture a dog barking at one tree, but the squirrel is in the next one—that’s barking up the wrong tree!
6. Like trying to catch smoke
Meaning
This means trying to do something that’s almost impossible. You can see smoke, but you can’t grab it.
When to Use It
Use it when someone is trying to fix or find something that can’t be held or is too hard to catch.
In a Sentence
I was trying to remember my dream, but it was like trying to catch smoke.
He tried to guess the secret, but it was like trying to catch smoke.
Other Ways to Say
- Impossible task
- Slipping through your fingers
- Too hard to do
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Hold your hand out and pretend to grab fog or steam—it slips away, just like this idiom means!
7. Spinning your wheels
Meaning
This means working hard but not getting anywhere, like a car stuck in mud—its wheels turn, but it doesn’t move.
When to Use It
Use it when someone is trying but not seeing results, like homework that keeps getting erased.
In a Sentence
I did math for an hour, but I kept getting it wrong—I was spinning my wheels.
She studied and studied, but her grades didn’t change. She was spinning her wheels.
Other Ways to Say
- Not making progress
- Stuck
- Working without results
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Imagine a car stuck in the snow—vroom vroom, but it doesn’t go anywhere. That’s spinning your wheels!
8. Like talking to a brick wall
Meaning
This idiom means trying to talk to someone who isn’t listening or won’t respond. Like talking to a wall—it won’t talk back!
When to Use It
Use it when someone is ignoring you, or no one is answering your question.
In a Sentence
I told my brother to clean his room, but it was like talking to a brick wall.
She kept asking for help, but no one answered—it was like talking to a brick wall.
Other Ways to Say
- Not listening
- Being ignored
- Talking for nothing
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Pretend to talk to a real wall—does it answer? Nope! That’s how this idiom feels when no one listens.
9. Beating your head against a wall
Meaning
This means trying very hard to do something that keeps failing. Like hitting your head on a wall over and over—it hurts, and nothing changes!
When to Use It
Use it when you feel frustrated because your effort isn’t working.
In a Sentence
I kept fixing the toy, but it kept breaking—I was beating my head against a wall.
He kept asking the same question with no answer. It was like beating his head against a wall.
Other Ways to Say
- Feeling stuck
- Wasting energy
- Nothing is working
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Tap your forehead gently and say “Ouch!” That’s how it feels when something just won’t work!
10. Chasing your tail
Meaning
This means being very busy but not finishing anything. Like a puppy going in circles trying to catch its own tail.
When to Use It
Use it when someone is doing a lot but getting nothing done.
In a Sentence
I did chores all day, but the house was still messy—I was chasing my tail.
She ran around all morning but forgot her backpack. She was chasing her tail.
Other Ways to Say
- Busy doing nothing
- Running in circles
- Not finishing anything
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Think of a dog running in circles for fun but never getting anywhere—that’s chasing your tail!
11. Like a screen door on a submarine
Meaning
This means something is totally useless. A screen door lets water through, so it wouldn’t help on a submarine that needs to stay dry.
When to Use It
Use it when you want to describe something that doesn’t work at all or is not helpful in a certain situation.
In a Sentence
Wearing flip-flops in the snow is like a screen door on a submarine.
He brought a fan to a snowstorm—it was like a screen door on a submarine!
Other Ways to Say
- No help at all
- Totally useless
- Doesn’t belong
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Picture a submarine underwater with holes in the door—yikes! That’s why a screen door wouldn’t help at all.
12. Like pouring water into a sieve
Meaning
This means wasting time or effort on something that won’t hold or keep results—like water going right through a sieve.
When to Use It
Use it when someone keeps trying something that won’t work or keeps losing what they’ve done.
In a Sentence
Studying without sleeping was like pouring water into a sieve.
He gave advice, but no one listened—it was like pouring water into a sieve.
Other Ways to Say
- Can’t hold on
- Going to waste
- Not working
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Grab a colander and pour water through it—see how fast it disappears? That’s what this idiom means!
13. Throwing money down the drain
Meaning
This means spending money on something that’s a waste. Like tossing coins into a sink—they’re gone!
When to Use It
Use it when someone spends money on things that don’t last or don’t work.
In a Sentence
I bought a toy that broke in minutes—it felt like throwing money down the drain.
She paid for a show that got canceled. It was like throwing money down the drain.
Other Ways to Say
- Waste of money
- Spent for nothing
- Lost it all
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Pretend to drop coins into the sink and say “Bye-bye!”—they’re not coming back!
14. Like shouting into the wind
Meaning
This means no one is hearing you or paying attention—like shouting outside when the wind blows your voice away.
When to Use It
Use it when someone is talking, but it feels like no one is listening or reacting.
In a Sentence
I asked for quiet, but it was like shouting into the wind.
He gave instructions, but everyone ignored him. It was like shouting into the wind.
Other Ways to Say
- No one hears you
- Ignored
- Talking for nothing
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Go outside on a windy day and yell—can anyone hear you? Probably not! That’s what this idiom means.
15. Useless as a chocolate teapot
Meaning
This means something is completely useless. A teapot made of chocolate would melt if you poured hot water in it!
When to Use It
Use it when something or someone can’t do the job they were supposed to.
In a Sentence
That broken flashlight is as useless as a chocolate teapot.
He gave me a flat ball—it was as useless as a chocolate teapot.
Other Ways to Say
- No help at all
- Can’t be used
- Doesn’t work
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Imagine pouring hot tea into a teapot that melts like candy—uh-oh! That’s why it wouldn’t work.
16. Like pushing water uphill
Meaning
This means doing something very difficult or impossible. Water goes down, not up—so pushing it uphill is super hard!
When to Use It
Use it when someone is trying to do something that feels like a never-ending, hard job.
In a Sentence
Trying to teach my cat tricks felt like pushing water uphill.
He tried to carry five balloons in the wind. It was like pushing water uphill.
Other Ways to Say
- Super hard
- Nearly impossible
- Too tricky
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Pour water on a slope and try to push it back up—can’t do it! That’s what this idiom means.
17. Like herding cats
Meaning
This means trying to control or organize things that don’t want to stay together—just like trying to herd a bunch of silly, running cats.
When to Use It
Use it when someone is trying to manage a group of people or things that keep moving or ignoring directions.
In a Sentence
Getting my friends to line up was like herding cats.
She tried to organize the class, but it was like herding cats.
Other Ways to Say
- Hard to control
- All over the place
- Can’t keep them together
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Imagine trying to line up five cats—they jump, run, and hide! That’s what this idiom feels like.
18. Flogging a dead horse
Meaning
This is another way to say something is already over, and trying more won’t help. Like hitting a horse that’s already down—it won’t get up.
When to Use It
Use it when someone keeps doing or saying something that can’t be fixed or changed.
In a Sentence
I kept asking for more candy, but it was like flogging a dead horse.
He kept arguing after the game ended. He was flogging a dead horse.
Other Ways to Say
- It’s already done
- Stop trying
- Can’t change it
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Think of someone trying to start a race that already ended—it’s too late now!
19. All foam, no beer
Meaning
This means something looks exciting on the outside but has nothing real on the inside. Like a drink that’s just foam, no flavor.
When to Use It
Use it when something sounds fun or big, but turns out to be disappointing or empty.
In a Sentence
The movie looked cool, but it was all foam, no beer.
She made a big promise, but didn’t do it. It was all foam, no beer.
Other Ways to Say
- All talk, no action
- Looks better than it is
- Full of nothing
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Shake up a soda can and pour it—so much foam, but not much drink! That’s the idea here.
Read More: Idioms for Useless Person Funnier Than You’d Expect
20. Not worth a hill of beans
Meaning
This means something is not important or valuable at all. Like saying, “This thing isn’t even worth a small pile of beans!”
When to Use It
Use it when you want to say something has little or no value.
In a Sentence
That old broken toy isn’t worth a hill of beans.
His excuses didn’t matter—they weren’t worth a hill of beans.
Other Ways to Say
- Not valuable
- Doesn’t matter
- Worthless
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Picture a tiny pile of beans—would you trade your lunch for it? Probably not!
21. Like milking a bull
Meaning
This idiom means trying to do something impossible or foolish. Bulls don’t give milk, so trying to milk one just won’t work!
When to Use It
Use it when someone is wasting time trying to get results from something that can’t give them what they want.
In a Sentence
I asked my little brother to help with math—it was like milking a bull.
Trying to get the broken pen to write was like milking a bull.
Other Ways to Say
- Not possible
- Silly idea
- Wrong tool for the job
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Think about trying to get milk from something that never makes it—it’s silly and won’t work at all!
22. Shooting blanks
Meaning
This means trying hard but getting no real results. Like a toy gun that makes a sound but doesn’t shoot anything.
When to Use It
Use it when someone is giving effort, but nothing is actually happening or working.
In a Sentence
I gave answers fast, but they were all wrong—I was shooting blanks.
She tried to think of a good idea, but nothing came. She was shooting blanks.
Other Ways to Say
- Got nothing
- Didn’t work
- Empty try
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Pretend to press a button on a toy that makes noise but does nothing—just like “shooting blanks”!
23. Wild goose chase
Meaning
This idiom means a long, silly search for something that’s hard or impossible to find.
When to Use It
Use it when someone is running around trying to find something that’s not really there or keeps changing.
In a Sentence
Looking for my lost sock turned into a wild goose chase.
He kept following clues, but they led nowhere. It was a wild goose chase.
Other Ways to Say
- Pointless search
- Running in circles
- No real goal
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Imagine chasing a goose around a big field—flap, flap—it runs, turns, and never lets you catch it!
24. Missing the boat
Meaning
This means being too late to get a chance or opportunity. Like standing on the dock while the boat sails away.
When to Use It
Use it when someone didn’t act in time and now can’t be part of something.
In a Sentence
I didn’t join the game in time—I missed the boat.
She waited too long to sign up and missed the boat.
Other Ways to Say
- Too late
- Missed the chance
- Opportunity gone
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Picture a boat leaving and you waving from shore—you missed it! That’s what this idiom means.
25. Not lift a finger
Meaning
This means someone didn’t help at all. Not even a tiny bit—like they didn’t move a single finger.
When to Use It
Use it when someone doesn’t try or doesn’t offer to help, even when they could.
In a Sentence
I cleaned the whole room, and he didn’t lift a finger.
They watched me carry the bags but didn’t lift a finger.
Other Ways to Say
- No help
- Did nothing
- Stood by
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Wiggle just one finger—if someone doesn’t even do that much, they really didn’t help at all!
26. Worthless as a broken crayon
Meaning
This means something has no use anymore. Like a crayon that’s snapped and can’t color anymore.
When to Use It
Use it when you want to say something isn’t useful, helpful, or valuable anymore.
In a Sentence
That pen dried out—now it’s worthless as a broken crayon.
He gave a ripped book to the library—it was as worthless as a broken crayon.
Other Ways to Say
- Can’t be used
- No good
- Thrown away
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Look at a crayon with no tip—can you color with it? Nope! That’s what this idiom is all about.
27. Can’t hold water
Meaning
This means something has holes or problems—like a cup with holes that can’t hold water. It’s often used when talking about bad plans or weak stories.
When to Use It
Use it when someone’s idea or excuse doesn’t make sense or is full of problems.
In a Sentence
His story didn’t make sense—it couldn’t hold water.
She made up an excuse, but it couldn’t hold water.
Other Ways to Say
- Doesn’t work
- Full of mistakes
- Weak excuse
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Imagine pouring water into a paper bag—it leaks right out! That’s how weak ideas “can’t hold water.”
28. Dead in the water
Meaning
This means something has stopped working and can’t go forward—like a boat with no engine stuck in the middle of the lake.
When to Use It
Use it when a plan or idea completely stops and can’t move forward anymore.
In a Sentence
Our science project got ruined—it was dead in the water.
He forgot his homework, so his plan to get a star was dead in the water.
Other Ways to Say
- Stopped completely
- Can’t continue
- Failed
Fun Tip or Visual Clue
💡Imagine a boat stuck with no paddles, no motor, no wind—just floating with no way to go. That’s “dead in the water.”
Exercise to Practice Idiom Useless Person
- I tried explaining the rules to my little brother, but it was ______________—he didn’t listen.
- Cleaning your room while your dog is still jumping on the bed is ______________!
- Telling Max to hurry when he’s sleepy is ______________.
- Repeating the same math problem over and over without solving it feels like ______________.
- Arguing about yesterday’s game now is just ______________.
- Trying to get the preschoolers to line up quietly was like ______________.
- Washing the floor while it’s raining and muddy outside feels like ______________.
- Fixing one broken crayon when the box is missing is ______________.
- I’m doing chores while my sister plays video games—it feels like ______________.
- Asking my cat to come when I call is ______________.
- Tyler kept blaming the wrong person. He was definitely ______________.
- I tried telling my idea, but it was ______________—no one even looked at me.
- Dad says buying toys you never use is like ______________.
- Building a tower with wet paper is ______________.
- Writing with a pen that has no ink is as ______________.
- We were all stuck and just kept ______________ with our group project.
- Going over the same answer again and again felt like ______________.
- We added one book to the huge library—it felt like ______________.
- Trying to balance the soccer ball on my nose was like ______________.
- His big plan had no real steps. It was just ______________.
✅ Answer Key
- Like talking to a brick wall
- Like pushing water uphill
- Beating your head against a wall
- Going around in circles
- Beating a dead horse
- Like herding cats
- Like pouring water into a sieve
- A drop in the ocean
- Not worth a hill of beans
- Like trying to catch smoke
- Barking up the wrong tree
- Like shouting into the wind
- Throwing money down the drain
- Like a screen door on a submarine
- Useless as a chocolate teapot
- Spinning your wheels
- Flogging a dead horse
- A drop in the ocean
- Chasing your tail
- All foam, no beer
How to Use Idioms for Useless Moments in Everyday Conversations?
A: When you want to describe someone or something that isn’t helping or adding value, idioms for useless moments can make your point clearer and more relatable. Instead of saying “he’s not helping,” try saying “he’s just a bump on a log” or “she doesn’t lift a finger.”
These expressions add color and emotion to your words, especially during school group work, chores at home, or when talking about lazy characters in stories. Using these idioms shows you understand how to express feelings in a smarter, more fun way!
Final Words
You’re not alone if you’ve ever felt frustrated trying to explain someone who isn’t helping or doing their part. That’s where idioms for useless really shine! They turn tricky emotions into simple, clear, and even fun expressions perfect for school talks, home chats, or hanging out with friends.
Next time you’re feeling this way, you’ll know exactly what to say! Keep exploring these clever phrases, and soon, you’ll use them with confidence in both speaking and writing. You’ve got this your words matter, and idioms are here to help you say them even better!
Hi, I am Joey, the admin of meaningtwist.com. I simplify deep meanings and twist ordinary words into extraordinary insights to spark your curiosity and clicks!
