Corresponding Flemish proverb: bring water to the sea: carry coals to Newcastle.
Bringing sand to the beach.
Emptying the ocean with a teaspoon.
Coals to Newcastle.
Carrying water in the Danaïds’ jars.
Pouring good money after bad.
It is rather like flogging a dead horse.
Carrying water from the desert to the sea.
But look’s water over the dam.
That strikes me as a futile exercise.
Luister, goeddoen aan addergebroed is water naar de zee dragen.
Being friendly to villains is like throwing water into the sea.
Je doet je best, maar lijkt het er af en toe niet op… dat je een beetje water naar de zee aan het dragen bent?
You do your best, but does it ever feel… like it’s emptying a sea of misery with a tea cup?