English

Verb

to waste breath

1. (idiomatic) To speak in a manner which is needless or futile; in discussion or argument to make points which are not appreciated or heeded.
   • 1827, James Fenimore Cooper, The Prairie, ch. 24:

     Middleton and Paul saw no use in wasting their breath in remonstrances against this proposal.

   • 1906, John Kendrick Bangs, R. Holmes & Co., ch. 1:

     Why waste breath saying self-evident things?

   • 2009, "Akshay jealous of Sanjay's tattoos?," Times of India, 19 May (retrieved 14 June 2009):

     "Please don't waste your breath asking me ridiculous questions," he says.

Usage notes

• Frequently used with a possessive adjective: waste my / your / his / her / our / their breath.

Translations