waste breath

English

Verb

waste breath

  1. (idiomatic) To speak in a manner which is needless or futile; in discussion or argument to make points which are not appreciated or heeded.
    • 1827, James Fenimore Cooper, The Prairie, ch. 24:
      Middleton and Paul saw no use in wasting their breath in remonstrances against this proposal.
    • 1906, John Kendrick Bangs, R. Holmes & Co., ch. 1:
      Why waste breath saying self-evident things?
    • 2009, "Akshay jealous of Sanjay's tattoos?," Times of India, 19 May (retrieved 14 June 2009):
      "Please don't waste your breath asking me ridiculous questions," he says.

Usage notes

  • Frequently used with a possessive adjective: waste my / your / his / her / our / their breath.

Translations

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