Tilting at windmills
Tilting at windmills
March 17, 2011
Dear Sir,
Premier Paula Cox described Dr Barbara Ball as someone who tilted at windmills.
Wikipedia defines this phrase as “an English idiom which means attacking imaginary enemies, or fighting unwinnable or futile battles.
The phrase is sometimes used to describe confrontations where adversaries are incorrectly perceived, or courses of action that are based on misinterpreted or misapplied heroic, romantic, or idealistic justifications.”
The Free Dictionary says: “to fight battles with imaginary enemies; to fight against unimportant enemies or issues. (As with the fictional character, Don Quixote, who attacked windmills.)”
UsingEnglish.com says: “A person who tilts at windmills, tries to do things that will never work in practice.”
STREETWALKER
Hamilton Parish

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