Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

fight-windmills

idiom

/faɪt ˈwɪndmɪlz/

Definition

To engage in a futile or misguided struggle against imaginary foes or challenges.

Examples

Despite his best efforts, he realized he was just fighting windmills when attempting to change the company’s policies that were already set in stone.
She is always fighting windmills by arguing with people who will never change their minds.

Meaning

The phrase comes from the character Don Quixote, who mistook windmills for giants and fought against them, representing a futile effort against non-existent issues.