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Wastefulness Vocabulary Set in Failure: Full and Detailed List

The 'Wastefulness' vocabulary set in 'Failure' is carefully selected from standard international textbook sources, helping you master vocabulary in a short time. Comprehensive compilation of definitions, illustrative examples, and standard pronunciation...

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cry over spilled milk

/kraɪ ˈoʊvər spɪld mɪlk/

Example:

It's no use crying over spilled milk; we just need to find a solution now.

cast pearls before swine

/kæst pɜrlz bɪˈfɔr swaɪn/

Example:

Trying to explain advanced physics to him is like casting pearls before swine; he just doesn't get it.

break even

/breɪk ˈiː.vən/

Example:

After months of losses, the company finally managed to break even this quarter.

chase your (own) tail

/tʃeɪs jʊər oʊn teɪl/

Example:

We've been chasing our tails all day trying to fix this bug, but we're no closer to a solution.

save your breath

/seɪv jʊər brɛθ/

Example:

You can try to convince him, but you'd better save your breath; he never listens.

close the stable door after the horse has bolted

/kloʊz ðə ˈsteɪbl dɔːr ˈæftər ðə hɔːrs hæz ˈboʊltɪd/

Example:

Trying to fix the security breach now is like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.

back to the drawing board

/bæk tu ðə ˈdrɔɪŋ bɔrd/

Example:

Our first attempt failed, so it's back to the drawing board.

from pillar to post

/frəm ˈpɪlər tə poʊst/

Example:

We've been running from pillar to post all day trying to get this paperwork sorted.

barking up the wrong tree

/ˈbɑːrkɪŋ ʌp ðə rɔŋ triː/

Example:

If you think I stole your pen, you're barking up the wrong tree; I haven't seen it.

beat a dead horse

/biːt ə dɛd hɔrs/

Example:

Trying to convince him now is just beating a dead horse; he's made up his mind.

come full circle

/kʌm fʊl ˈsɜːrkl/

Example:

After years of traveling, he finally decided to come full circle and move back to his hometown.

toing and froing

/ˈtɔɪŋ ənd ˈfroʊɪŋ/

Example:

There was a lot of toing and froing before we finally agreed on the terms.

be like talking to a brick wall

/bi laɪk ˈtɔkɪŋ tu ə brɪk wɔl/

Example:

Trying to explain the new policy to him was like talking to a brick wall.

tread water

/trɛd ˈwɔtər/

Example:

The company has been treading water for months, waiting for the economy to improve.
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