bring sand to the beach
To do or undertake something redundant, pointless, or futile, usually in the context of bringing something to a location where it is abundant or unnecessary. The company always caters lunch for these meetings, so I don't know why you bring in your own sandwich. You might as well bring sand to the beach!
build (something) on sand
To create, provide, or use an unstable or impermanent foundation for something, such as a building, business, or relationship. It is taken from a parable in the Bible (Matthew 7:24–27 and Luke 6:46–49) in which Jesus warns that those who do not follow Him build their lives as houses on sand, liable to be washed away by the elements. In hindsight, I guess our relationship was kind of built on sand, since we didn't really have much in common to begin with. Without proper financing, you'll end up building your business on sand!
have (one's) head in the sand
To refuse to acknowledge or deal with problems, danger, or difficulty, especially in the hopes that they will resolve themselves. The phrase is a reference to ostriches, which were believed (incorrectly) to hide their heads in the ground at the sight of approaching danger. Your department clearly has its head in the sand regarding this security breach! You can't just always have your head in the sand whenever you're confronted with a problem in your relationship.
a line in the sand
A figurative boundary that someone or some group refuses to cross or beyond which no further advance or compromise is accepted. (Used especially in the phrase "draw a line in the sand.") The allocation of this new tax to pay for building schools has become a line in the sand for the governor's administration. I don't mind my roommate being a bit messy, but leaving dirty dishes for me to clean up is where I draw a line in the sand!
go pound sand
To go and engage in pointless, menial efforts or labor. Used as an imperative to express disdain, contempt, or dismissal. I can't believe Sam told his teacher to go pound sand. Where does that kid get such attitude? Charles, why don't you go pound sand instead of coming around here hassling me about my business?
pound sand
To engage in pointless, menial efforts or labor. Used especially as an imperative to express disdain, contempt, or dismissal. I can't believe Sam told his teacher to go pound sand. Where does that kid get such attitude? Charles, why don't you pound sand instead of coming around here hassling me about my business?
have enough sense to pound sand
To have a basic level of competence, intelligence, or common sense. Used most often in the negative to imply that someone lacks even that. I lost my faith in the political process when I realized that the people getting voted into Washington don't have enough sense to pound sand. That boy doesn't have sense enough to pound sand. What makes you think he'll be able to fix your computer?
bury (one's) head in the sand
To avoid, or try to avoid, a particular situation by pretending that it does not exist. The phrase refers to the common but mistaken belief that ostriches bury their heads in the sand when frightened, so as to avoid being seen. Lou, you can't bury your head in the sand about your health—please, make an appointment with your doctor and get that rash checked out! A: "How has Peter been handling the break-up?" B: "Oh, just burying his head in the sand and ignoring his feelings."
plow the sands
To do something that seems futile. I know that I'm just plowing the sands by telling you to stay away from that boy, but I'm your father, and I don't want to see you get hurt. That couch will never fit up the steps—tell them to stop plowing the sands!
rope of sand
Something that is not as strong or stable as it seems. Yes, you're a fool to trust him, and this allegiance will soon prove to be a rope of sand. I thought I finally had a strong bond with my mother, but it was just a rope of sand—she's left us once again.
sands are running out
There is a limited amount of time before something happens. The phrase refers to an hourglass, in which sand trickles from the top of the hourglass to the bottom through an opening until it has run out. The sands are running out—if she doesn't move out of that neighborhood, she'll be the next victim of a violent crime. I know that picking a college is a big decision, but the sands are running out.
be built on sand
To be unstable. A relationship based entirely on physical attraction is built on sand and won't last long.
bury one's head in the sand
and hide one's head in the sand; have one's head in the sandFig. to ignore or hide from obvious signs of danger. (Alludes to an ostrich, which is believed incorrectly to hide its head in a hole in the ground when it sees danger.) Stop burying your head in the sand. Look at the statistics on smoking and cancer.
draw a line in the sand
Fig. to create or declare an artificial boundary and imply that crossing it will cause trouble. Todd drew a line in the sand by giving his roommate an ultimatum about his sloppiness—he had to start cleaning up after himself or move out.
sand something down
1. to make something smooth by rubbing it with sandpaper. (To act on the main body of the object, not the imperfections.) You should sand the board down before you paint it. Please sand down the board.
2. to remove bumps or imperfections on the surface of something by rubbing them with sandpaper. (To act on the imperfections, not the main body of the object.) Sand these bumps down, will you? Sand down these bumps, please.
sands of time
Fig. the accumulated tiny amounts of time; time represented by the sand in an hourglass. The sands of time will make you grow old like everyone else. My only enemy is the sands of time.
build on sand
Use an unstable foundation, as in If you buy nothing but high-risk stocks, your portfolio will be built on sand. This metaphor appears in the New Testament, where Jesus likens those who do not heed his sayings to a foolish man who builds his house on sand, which then is washed away by rain, flood, and wind (Matthew 7:24-27). [c. 1600]
hide one's head in the sand
Also, bury one's head in the sand. Refuse to face something by pretending not to see it. For example, For years we have been hiding our heads in the sand, refusing to admit that the store is losing money , or When it comes to a family quarrel, Dean just buries his head in the sand. This expression, transferred to human behavior in the early 1600s, alludes to the belief that ostriches burrow in sand thinking they will not be seen because they cannot see. In fact, however, when they do this, they are consuming sand and gravel to aid their digestive system.