phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

Farting against thunder

Posted by Lewis on November 12, 2007

In Reply to: Farting against thunder posted by Smokey Stover on October 30, 2007

: : Is "farting against thunder" a phrase with similar meaning to "pissing into the wind"?

: Similar, perhaps, but not exactly equivalent.

: If your words or actions are contrary to the prevailing wind, that is, the trend of current thinking in your milieu, they will be futile and may come back in your face, just as pissing into the wind will just get you unpleasantly wet from what comes back in your face.

: If you are speaking while [Churchill / the Queen / Gandhi / Dad / God] is talking, you are wasting your breath and won't be heard, any more than a fart is heard against thunder.
: SS

I beg to differ - I think that 'farting against thunder' is pretty close to 'pissing in the wind'. whilst in the former, there is no notion that the smell returns, there is no reason to say it doesn't. pissing in the wind does strongly suggest futility, as well as unfortunate consequences.
it is a question of accepting one's limitations.

if a Judge had already decided on an issue during a hearing, I would be 'pissing in the wind' to continue to argue or just as aptly 'farting against thunder' in persisting.

L

© 1997 – 2024 Phrases.org.uk. All rights reserved.