vechten tegen de bierkaai

Etymology
From the Bierkaai (literally, “beer quay”) in Amsterdam, part of the Oudezijds Voorburgwal. The inhabitants of the Bierkaai had a reputation as pugnacious brawlers. Literally, “to fight against the beer quay”.

Verb

 * 1)  to put in effort in vain, to strive for a lost or impossible cause, to fight a losing battle