https://pol.proz.com/kudoz/polish-to-english/idioms-maxims-sayings/3092954-kopa%C4%87-si%C4%99-z-koniem.html&text=kopa%C4%87+si%C4%99+z+koniem
Feb 18, 2009 13:30
16 yrs ago
11 viewers *
polski term

kopać się z koniem

polski > angielski Literatura/sztuka Idiomy/powiedzenia/przysłowia powiedzonka
Przykład użycia: Ja się z koniem kopał nie będę.
Znaczenie: druga strona jest w sposób oczywisty silniejsza

Proposed translations

+1
  1 godz.
Selected

fight a losing battle

Peer comment(s):

agree Khrystene (X)
  8 godz.
agree Polangmar
1 dzień   9 godz.
disagree ajw6655 (X) : Wooden, unidiomatic. Better: "to get into a pissing contest with a skunk".
2784 dni
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you all. I guess this is as close as we can get, proverb-wise. Otherwise, I'd choose "getting into a kicking contest with a horse" which sort of says it."
  2 godz.

hitting one's head against a brick wall

This is a common expression in English. Like getting into a kicking contest with a horse (where the horse is stronger), you're not likely to tear down the wall by banging your head against it.
Peer comment(s):

neutral legato : Not exactly. This would be "walić głową w mur."
  23 min
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+1
  3 godz.

going one-legged into an arse-kicking contest

Inspired by Paul's 'contest'. :)
Ew. butt-kicking...

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Note added at 3 hrs (2009-02-18 16:41:30 GMT)
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Go zamiast going, żeby było zgodnie z pytaniem
Peer comment(s):

agree allp
  4 godz.
Dziękuję :)
neutral Khrystene (X) : interesting, but it's more a def. for 'USELESS' than hopeless. see: http://tinyurl.com/cuofvs
  7 godz.
To me, 'kopać się z koniem' has both connotations. So hopeless that nobody would even consider it, while some might be willing to 'fight a losing battle', e.g. for the sake of standing up for their principles.
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2784 dni

to get into a pissing contest with a skunk

Well-known advice in American English: never get into...
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