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Metaphors are fun word phrases that compare one thing to another by saying it is actually something else. People use them to make talking and writing more colorful and exciting. In this article, you will learn fifty fun metaphors related to an impossible task.
In this lesson, we’ll look at metaphors that mean facing unachievable goals, undertaking hopeless missions, and tackling unwinnable problems. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Metaphors for Impossible Task
1. Catching the wind
Definition: Trying to grab or hold onto something completely intangible and impossible to capture.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to stop rumors from spreading in the school hallway felt like trying to catch the wind. / Expecting him to change his stubborn mind right away is like trying to catch the wind.
Similar Expressions: Grabbing air / Holding smoke
2. Splicing rainbows
Definition: Attempting to piece together two things that can never physically be joined.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to merge our two completely different science theories felt like trying to splice a rainbow. / Creating a machine that does everything you dream of is like trying to splice rainbows.
Similar Expressions: Joining light / Weaving beams
3. Squeezing water from stones
Definition: Trying to extract results or resources from a source that has absolutely nothing to give.
Used in a Sentence: Asking the tired puppy for more energy after a long walk was like squeezing water from a stone. / Trying to get a straight answer out of him was like squeezing water from stones.
Similar Expressions: Wringing rocks / Dry wells
4. Bending steel with bare hands
Definition: Attempting a physical or mental feat that demands superhuman strength you do not possess.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to memorize the entire dictionary in one weekend felt like trying to bend steel with bare hands. / Expecting the toddler to carry the heavy couch was like asking him to bend steel.
Similar Expressions: Moving mountains / Superhuman feats
5. Climbing vertical glass
Definition: Trying to scale a surface that offers zero friction, grip, or chance of success.
Used in a Sentence: Winning the debate championship without preparing any notes felt like climbing vertical glass. / Trying to convince the strict principal without evidence was like climbing vertical glass walls.
Similar Expressions: Scalable walls / Slippery slopes
6. Painting the ocean
Definition: Engaging in a project so endlessly vast that it can never possibly be finished.
Used in a Sentence: Cleaning up every single speck of dust in the massive warehouse felt like painting the ocean. / Trying to fix every minor flaw in the old computer code was like painting the ocean.
Similar Expressions: Endless chores / Bottomless jobs
7. Taming wild hurricanes
Definition: Trying to control an utterly chaotic situation or person using gentle words.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to calm down the angry mob of fans after the controversial call was like taming a wild hurricane. / Stopping the kids from shouting during the party game was like trying to tame a hurricane.
Similar Expressions: Controlling storms / Stopping gales
8. Reaching the moon on a kite
Definition: Setting a goal so wildly unrealistic that success is completely out of reach.
Used in a Sentence: Hoping to build a working spaceship in our treehouse was like trying to reach the moon on a kite. / Expecting to win the national chess tournament on your first day is like reaching the moon on a kite.
Similar Expressions: Unrealistic dreams / Impossible flights
9. Finding needles in galaxies
Definition: Searching for a tiny, specific item across a space so massive it defies probability.
Used in a Sentence: Looking for one lost red Lego brick inside the giant toy bin felt like finding a needle in a galaxy. / Tracking down the missing historic document in the giant library archives was like finding a needle in a galaxy.
Similar Expressions: Universal searches / Impossible hunts
10. Counting grains of sand
Definition: Undertaking a tedious, infinite calculation that has no final end or purpose.
Used in a Sentence: Checking every single line of code for a tiny typo felt like counting grains of sand on a beach. / Trying to list every star in the night sky by hand is like counting grains of sand.
Similar Expressions: Infinite tallies / Endless counts
11. Turning lead into gold
Definition: Expecting a worthless or broken item to magically transform into something valuable.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to fix my broken plastic toy car with glue and glitter felt like trying to turn lead into gold. / Expecting the failing restaurant business to profit overnight was like turning lead into gold.
Similar Expressions: Magical fixes / Impossible alchemy
12. Holding back tides
Definition: Trying to resist a massive, natural force that is completely unstoppable.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to stop the cheering crowd from rushing onto the football field felt like holding back the tide. / Trying to prevent the fashion trend from spreading was like holding back a tidal wave.
Similar Expressions: Stopping waves / Resisting floods
13. Bridging bottomless chasms
Definition: Trying to find a way to connect two opposing sides that have zero common ground.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to get the rival sports teams to agree on a rule change felt like bridging a bottomless chasm. / Resolving the argument between them without a mediator felt like bridging a bottomless chasm.
Similar Expressions: Crossing divides / Impossible spans
14. Walking through fire unscathed
Definition: Entering a dangerous or heavily criticized situation and expecting to escape without harm.
Used in a Sentence: Entering the teacher’s office after turning in the messy assignment felt like walking through fire. / Trying to survive the group project without doing your share is like walking through fire unscathed.
Similar Expressions: Dangerous paths / Risk walks
15. Herding stray comets
Definition: Trying to gather, organize, and control a group of erratic and completely wild individuals.
Used in a Sentence: Getting twenty excited kindergarteners to line up quietly in the yard felt like herding stray comets. / Managing the chaotic group of stray puppies was like herding comets.
Similar Expressions: Organizing chaos / Controlling whims
16. Sculpting smoke
Definition: Trying to give a permanent, solid shape to something that is formless and fleeting.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to write down a fleeting dream before it vanished felt like sculpting smoke. / Trying to pin down his vague plans for the weekend was like sculpting smoke.
Similar Expressions: Shaping air / Catching mist
17. Sowing seeds on boulders
Definition: Putting your hard work, time, and effort into a place where nothing can ever grow.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to teach advanced algebra to a sleeping class felt like sowing seeds on boulders. / Investing money into the doomed business plan was like sowing seeds on rocks.
Similar Expressions: Wasted efforts / Barren planting
18. Building castles out of mist
Definition: Making elaborate plans that have no foundation, structure, or reality behind them.
Used in a Sentence: His grand scheme to buy a yacht with allowance money was just building castles out of mist. / Relying on his vague promises for the project felt like building castles out of mist.
Similar Expressions: Air castles / Flimsy plans
19. Carrying oceans in thimbles
Definition: Trying to solve a massive, overwhelming problem using tools that are far too small.
Used in a Sentence: Using a single paper towel to clean up the flooded kitchen floor felt like carrying an ocean in a thimble. / Trying to pay off the massive debt with spare change was like carrying an ocean in a thimble.
Similar Expressions: Tiny tools / Inadequate means
20. Breaking brick walls with feathers
Definition: Using extremely weak methods to try and overcome a rigid, massive barrier.
Used in a Sentence: Arguing with the school board rules using only a casual opinion felt like breaking brick walls with feathers. / Trying to dent the metal locker with a cotton ball was like breaking brick walls with feathers.
Similar Expressions: Weak blows / Futile strikes
21. Ordering the sun to stand still
Definition: Expecting time or natural laws to pause or reverse to suit your personal schedule.
Used in a Sentence: Begging the teacher for ten more minutes on the finished test was like ordering the sun to stand still. / Trying to make the weekend last forever is like ordering the sun to stand still.
Similar Expressions: Stopping time / Defying nature
22. Milking dry cows
Definition: Continuing to press a person or resource for help when they have already given everything.
Used in a Sentence: Asking our tired coach for extra practice drills after the game was like milking a dry cow. / Trying to get more ideas from the exhausted brainstorming group was like milking dry cows.
Similar Expressions: Drained wells / Empty taps
23. Washing charcoal white
Definition: Trying to clean or change something whose fundamental nature is permanently dark.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to make the villainous character in the play look like a hero felt like washing charcoal white. / Trying to change his stubborn bad habits overnight was like washing charcoal white.
Similar Expressions: Impossible cleans / Permanent traits
24. Unscrambling cooked eggs
Definition: Trying to reverse a complex event or mistake that has already completely blended together.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to separate the mixed paint colors back into individual cans was like unscrambling cooked eggs. / Trying to undo the broken agreement after the contract was signed felt like unscrambling cooked eggs.
Similar Expressions: Reversing time / Undoing acts
25. Catching falling stars
Definition: Attempting to catch a rare, fast-moving, and brilliant opportunity that is already gone.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to buy the sold-out concert tickets five minutes before the show felt like trying to catch a falling star. / Trying to grab the floating prize coupon before it blew away was like catching a falling star.
Similar Expressions: Fleeting grabs / Fast snatches
26. Feeding the wind
Definition: Pouring resources into a project that provides zero physical return or sustenance.
Used in a Sentence: Spending money on broken lottery tickets felt like feeding the wind. / Giving advice to someone who refuses to listen is like feeding the wind.
Similar Expressions: Wasted fuel / Empty gifts
27. Teaching fish to climb trees
Definition: Trying to force someone to excel at a skill that goes completely against their natural abilities.
Used in a Sentence: Forcing the tone-deaf student to lead the choir solo felt like teaching a fish to climb a tree. / Expecting the clumsy cat to win a gymnastics medal was like teaching a fish to climb trees.
Similar Expressions: Unnatural drills / Misguided tasks
28. Writing on running water
Definition: Making a promise, agreement, or record that disappears the moment it is created.
Used in a Sentence: Trusting his verbal promise to pay back the lunch money felt like writing on running water. / Trying to leave a permanent mark on the shifting sandbar was like writing on running water.
Similar Expressions: Fading notes / Temporary marks
29. Stretching horizons
Definition: Trying to pull the edges of the earth further apart to expand your tiny workspace.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to fit all forty students’ science projects onto one tiny desk felt like trying to stretch the horizon. / Cramming our huge band instruments into the tiny closet was like trying to stretch the horizon.
Similar Expressions: Impossible fits / Expanding bounds
30. Weaving ropes of sand
Definition: Attempting to twist loose, fine grains of earth into a strong, functional rope.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to make a stable rope swing out of loose dirt and grass felt like weaving ropes of sand. / Trying to build a lasting argument on false rumors was like weaving ropes of sand.
Similar Expressions: Weak braids / Fragile structures
31. Catching smoke with bare hands
Definition: Trying to trap a wispy, invisible vapor using only your fingertips.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to pin down the source of the playground rumor felt like trying to catch smoke with bare hands. / Trying to grab the escaping steam from the kettle was like catching smoke with bare hands.
Similar Expressions: Grabbing vapors / Trapping air
32. Leveling mountains with spoons
Definition: Attempting a massive engineering feat using absurdly tiny and ineffective tools.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to dig the deep basement foundation using only plastic dinner spoons felt like leveling a mountain with a spoon. / Trying to clear the snowy driveway with a butter knife was like leveling a mountain with a spoon.
Similar Expressions: Tiny tools / Slow digs
33. Crossing scorching deserts in paper shoes
Definition: Embarking on a harsh, grueling journey completely unequipped for the dangers ahead.
Used in a Sentence: Entering the advanced physics competition without studying formulas felt like crossing a desert in paper shoes. / Trying out for the varsity soccer team with no practice was like crossing a desert in paper shoes.
Similar Expressions: Unprepared trips / Weak gear
34. Catching lightning in teacups
Definition: Trying to capture an immense, high-voltage flash of energy inside a fragile ceramic cup.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to bottle up the wild excitement of twenty kids on party day felt like catching lightning in a teacup. / Trying to control the explosive talent of the rookie skater was like catching lightning in a teacup.
Similar Expressions: Trapping power / Holding energy
35. Pulling yourself up by your eyelashes
Definition: Trying to lift your entire body weight using a weak and impossible leverage point.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to pass the difficult semester grade without turning in any homework was like trying to lift yourself up by your eyelashes. / Expecting the failing business to save itself without funding was like pulling yourself up by your eyelashes.
Similar Expressions: Impossible leverage / Weak lifts
36. Chasing horizons
Definition: Running after an edge of the earth that moves further away the faster you travel.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to catch up to the top student’s perfect grade point average felt like chasing an endless horizon. / Running after our dreams without a clear map felt like chasing horizons.
Similar Expressions: Endless runs / Fleeing goals
37. Sweeping back ocean waves with brooms
Definition: Engaging in a comically futile effort to push back a massive incoming force.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to stop the angry crowd from shouting with a single wave of my hand felt like sweeping back the ocean with a broom. / Trying to clear the falling autumn leaves during a hurricane with a broom was like sweeping back waves.
Similar Expressions: Futile sweeps / Useless brooms
38. Biting your own elbow
Definition: Performing a simple-sounding physical action that human anatomy makes completely impossible.
Used in a Sentence: Winning the game against the professional team without our star player felt as likely as biting your own elbow. / Saying we could finish the massive mural in ten minutes was like claiming you could bite your own elbow.
Similar Expressions: Anatomical limits / Impossible bends
39. Taming wild tigers with whispers
Definition: Attempting to control a dangerous, ferocious beast using only quiet, gentle sounds.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to quiet the roaring, angry stadium crowd with a soft shush felt like taming a wild tiger with a whisper. / Approaching the furious guard dog with gentle hums was like taming a tiger with whispers.
Similar Expressions: Gentle calls / Risky tames
40. Building bridges to the stars
Definition: Constructing a pathway to reach a destination that is light-years away from reality.
Used in a Sentence: His plan to fund our club trip by finding buried treasure was like building a bridge to the stars. / Dreaming of becoming an astronaut without passing math class was like building a bridge to the stars.
Similar Expressions: Impossible spans / Star paths
41. Freezing lava with ice cubes
Definition: Trying to cool down an intensely hot, destructive force using a tiny, melting weapon.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to calm down the blazing argument with a tiny joke felt like trying to freeze lava with an ice cube. / Pouring a glass of cold water on the overheating engine fire was like trying to freeze lava with ice cubes.
Similar Expressions: Melting coolants / Weak freezes
42. Weighing the wind
Definition: Attempting to measure something that has no physical weight, mass, or substance.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to calculate how much happiness the party brought us felt like trying to weigh the wind. / Trying to measure the exact value of a creative idea is like trying to weigh the wind.
Similar Expressions: Measuring air / Weightless tests
43. Painting shadows
Definition: Trying to capture and color an absence of light that vanishes when you touch it.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to decorate the dark room by adding more black paint felt like painting shadows. / Trying to fix the intangible mood of the room was like painting shadows on a wall.
Similar Expressions: Dark arts / Empty works
44. Breathing underwater
Definition: Attempting to survive and operate naturally in an environment that is totally hostile to human life.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to fit in with the trendy older kids at school felt like trying to breathe underwater. / Entering the high-pressure corporate meeting unprepared felt like breathing underwater.
Similar Expressions: Submerged struggles / Hostile depths
45. Finding heat in icebergs
Definition: Searching for a warm, comforting quality in a place that is famously freezing and harsh.
Used in a Sentence: Asking the stern, unfriendly librarian for a comforting hug was like trying to find heat in an iceberg. / Trying to find sympathy from the strict coach was like looking for heat in an iceberg.
Similar Expressions: Cold searches / Freezing quests
46. Walking on sunbeams
Definition: Attempting to tread upon light rays as if they were solid, physical wooden planks.
Used in a Sentence: Expecting to cross the canyon on a ray of morning sunlight felt like trying to walk on sunbeams. / Believing the fairy tale promise of floating across the room was like trying to walk on sunbeams.
Similar Expressions: Light walking / Floating steps
47. Sifting soup through nets
Definition: Using a tool with massive holes to try and separate liquid from its contents.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to catch tiny glitter particles using a large mesh net felt like sifting soup through a net. / Trying to filter out minor errors using a broad, careless review was like sifting soup through nets.
Similar Expressions: Porous filters / Leaky traps
48. Climbing up waterfalls
Definition: Trying to ascend against a powerful downward flow of roaring water.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to catch up in class after missing three weeks of school felt like climbing up a waterfall. / Swimming upstream against the rushing crowd in the corridor was like climbing a waterfall.
Similar Expressions: Upward swims / Against streams
49. Planting stars in soil
Definition: Trying to cultivate and grow celestial, out-of-reach objects in earthly garden dirt.
Used in a Sentence: Dreaming of bringing a glowing meteorite home to plant in the garden was like planting stars in soil. / Trying to grow our tiny local club into a global corporation overnight was like planting stars in dirt.
Similar Expressions: Cosmic gardening / Impossible seeds
50. Catching echoes
Definition: Trying to physically grasp a bouncing sound wave after the voice has stopped speaking.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to grab the whispered secret out of the air after it was spoken felt like catching echoes. / Trying to reverse the spoken insult after it left his mouth was like catching echoes.
Similar Expressions: Grabbing sounds / Trapping notes
Exercise to Practice
- Trying to stop rumors from spreading in the school hallway felt like trying to catch the wind.
- Trying to merge our two completely different science theories felt like trying to splice a rainbow while flying a spaceship to Mars.
- Asking the tired puppy for more energy after a long walk was like squeezing water from a stone.
- Trying to memorize the entire dictionary in one weekend felt like trying to bend steel with bare hands while eating a green cloud.
- Winning the debate championship without preparing any notes felt like climbing vertical glass.
- Cleaning up every single speck of dust in the massive warehouse felt like painting the ocean.
- Trying to calm down the angry mob of fans after the controversial call was like taming a wild hurricane while painting your dog purple.
- Hoping to build a working spaceship in our treehouse was like trying to reach the moon on a kite.
- Looking for one lost red Lego brick inside the giant toy bin felt like finding a needle in a galaxy.
- Checking every single line of code for a tiny typo felt like counting grains of sand on a beach while swimming in outer space.
- Trying to fix my broken plastic toy car with glue and glitter felt like trying to turn lead into gold.
- Trying to stop the cheering crowd from rushing onto the football field felt like holding back the tide while turning into a tree.
- Trying to get the rival sports teams to agree on a rule change felt like bridging a bottomless chasm.
- Entering the teacher’s office after turning in the messy assignment felt like walking through fire.
- Getting twenty excited kindergarteners to line up quietly in the yard felt like herding stray comets while melting into ice cream.
Answer Key
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
Conclusion
Learning these metaphors helps you describe an impossible task, unachievable goals, and hopeless missions in a colorful and fun way. When you use creative words, your stories and talks about big challenges become much more engaging.
Try using one or two of these expressions the next time you write a funny story or describe a tricky problem at school. You will see how exciting it is to bring your everyday language to life!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common metaphors for an impossible task?
Some popular metaphors for an impossible task include catching the wind, splicing rainbows, and squeezing water from stones. People use these expressions to talk about facing unachievable goals, undertaking hopeless missions, and tackling unwinnable problems in daily life.
Why do we use metaphors in English?
Metaphors make our language much more colorful and interesting than plain words alone. They help us share feelings and pictures in our minds quickly and clearly.
How can I learn more metaphors easily?
You can learn new metaphors by reading fun stories, listening to how people talk, and practicing them in your own sentences. Writing down your favorite phrases in a notebook is also a great way to remember them.
Are metaphors used in everyday speech?
Yes, people use metaphors every day when talking with friends, family, and classmates. They help make ordinary conversations sound lively and engaging.
Can metaphors have more than one meaning?
Most metaphors have one main accepted meaning, but people can use them in different fun contexts. Always check the definition and sample sentences to make sure you use the phrase correctly.
