expression · to stubbornly focus on an insoluble problem or get caught in a dead-end way of thinking

既然这条路走不通，你就不要再钻牛角尖了，换个思路试试。

noun · to waste time on insignificant or trivial details or minor points

做研究应该严谨，但没必要在这些细枝末节上钻牛角尖。