To beat the air
Молотить воздух.
Толочь воду в ступе. Переливать из пустого в порожнее. Говорить на ветер. Горох об стену сыпать.
Другие пословицы:
- A bad beginning makes a bad ending
- A bad compromise is better than a good lawsuit
- A bad workman quarrels with his tools
- A bargain is a bargain
- A beggar can never be bankrupt
- A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
- A bird may be known by its song
- A black hen lays a white egg
- A blind leader of the blind
- A blind man would be glad to see
- A broken friendship may be soldered, but will never be sound
- A burden of one's own choice is not felt
- A burnt child dreads the fire
- A cat in gloves catches no mice
- A city that parleys is half gotten