fish (up)for the moon in the water — make impractical (/vain) effort;futile fantasy; plough the air (/sands); a vain(/futile/fruitless)attempt ? 這就是～。(《儒林外史》576)You want me to pluck the moon from the lake—it simply can’ t be done. ? 祖師道： “此欲長生，亦如～。”(《西游記》 18) “To obtain immortality from such activities，” said the Patriarch，“is also like scooping the moon from the water. ”
水中撈月shui zhong lao yue
fish for the moon in the water—cry for the moon
水中撈月
fish for the moon in the water—cry for the moon;make impractical or vain efforts
水中撈月shuǐ zhōnɡ lāo yuè
比喻白費工夫，目的根本就無法實現(xiàn)。make impractical or rain efforts, fish in the air