chuī​shā​zuò​fàn

to boil sand to make rice

Senses

炊砂作饭/ 炊砂作飯 chuī​shā​zuò​fàn to boil sand to make rice

to waste one's effort on a fruitless task; to attempt the impossible

References

variant 炊砂作饭/炊砂作飯 炊沙成饭/炊沙成飯
variant 炊砂作饭/炊砂作飯 炊沙作饭/炊沙作飯
variant 炊沙成饭/炊沙成飯 炊砂作饭/炊砂作飯