fool's errand

Etymology
18th century.

Noun

 * 1)  A foolish undertaking, especially one that is purposeless, fruitless, nonsensical, or certain to fail.
 * 2)  Such an undertaking, assigned as a prank.
 * 1)  Such an undertaking, assigned as a prank.
 * 1)  Such an undertaking, assigned as a prank.
 * 1)  Such an undertaking, assigned as a prank.

Translations

 * Finnish: hullun homma,
 * German: vergebliche Mühe,
 * Hebrew:, משימה שנידונה לכישלון, משימה אבודה מראש
 * Italian: compito da pazzi,, impresa folle
 * Japanese: 骨折り損, むだ足
 * Polish: próżny wysiłek
 * Spanish: misión imposible, tarea de tontos
 * Turkish: abesle iştigal, boş iş