Citations:shoot an elephant with a BB gun

attempt an action with drastically insufficient force, effort, or tools

 * 1987, Jerry R. May, Sport psychology: the psychological health of the athlete (Pma Pub Corp):
 * As Gene Upshaw, the current executive director of the NFLPA, explained about his dealings with the NFL Management Council, &quot;Some days, I feel like I&#39;m trying to shoot an elephant with a BB gun,&quot; (Stoltz, 1985, p. 81).
 * 1999, Franklin D. Rast, Don's Nam, Universal-Publishers (ISBN 9781581128499), page 178:
 * There was so much fire-power on that cluster of roadside in minutes that my efforts with the pistol was just like a fool trying to shoot an elephant with a BB gun. The poor timing of the NVA would cost them about sixty confirmed KIA, ...
 * 2011, Budd Schulberg, What Makes Sammy Run?, Vintage (ISBN 9780307790736), page 26:
 * Trying to hurt his feelings was like trying to shoot an elephant with a BB gun. It simply tickled him.