tilt at windmills

Idioms  

1. Engage in conflict with an imagined opponent, pursue a vain goal, as in Trying to reform campaign financing in this legislature is tilting at windmills. This metaphoric expression alludes to the hero of Miguel de Cervantes'Don Quixote (1605), who rides with his lance at full tilt (poised to strike) against a row of windmills, which he mistakes for evil giants.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tilt at windmills

Driven by Ma's force of personality, Alibaba was able to tilt at windmills, said Duncan Clark, managing director of Beijing-based tech advisory BDA and a former consultant for Alibaba.

From Reuters ● Jun. 8, 2014

Cumani is simply not the sort of trainer to tilt at windmills.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 7, 2011

But you also lose a bit of the edge that leads you to tilt at windmills.

From Time ● Mar. 4, 2010

As Einstein's example makes clear, very smart people sometimes tilt at windmills.

From Time Magazine Archive

However, that’s your business,” Macloud observed; “though, it’s a pity to tilt at windmills, for a foolish notion.”

From In Her Own Right by Underwood, Clarence F.