whistle jigs to a milestone

present singular third person whistles jigs to a milestone · participle present whistling jigs to a milestone · participle past whistled jigs to a milestone · past whistled jigs to a milestone

1. IrelandTo do something utterly futile or ineffective.

   I won't be arguin' any more wid you, for I see plainly that I might as well be whistlin' jigs to a milestone as to be pladin' wid you. But I'll say wan thing to you […]

   1880, Margaret W. Brew, The Burtons of Dunroe, volume 1, page 130

   1 more example

   “Gentlemen, both!” I answered, moderating them again as I had moderated them once already. “In the matter of the moss rose there is a great deal to be said on both sides!” I might as well (as the Irish say) have whistled jigs to a milestone. Away they went together, fighting the battle of the roses without asking or giving quarter on either side.

   1868, Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone