Tilt at windmills

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Literary Origin

The phrase comes from the novel 'Don Quixote' where the main character attacks windmills, mistaking them for giants.

In her speeches, she often tilts at windmills, like a modern-day Don Quixote.

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Metaphoric Use

Used metaphorically to speak about challenging nonexistent problems as if they were real or significant.

He's tilting at windmills by insisting on changing a policy that doesn't exist.

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Futile Efforts

The phrase often implies that someone is wasting time and energy on a futile effort or conflict.

Arguing with him on that subject is just tilting at windmills; he'll never change his mind.