vechten tegen de bierkaai

== Dutch == === Etymology === From the Bierkaai (literally, “beer quay”) in Amsterdam, part of the Oudezijds Voorburgwal. The inhabitants of the Bierkaai had a reputation as pugnacious brawlers. Literally, “to fight against the beer quay”. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈvɛx.tə(n) ˌteː.ɣə(n) də ˈbiːr.kaːi̯/ === Verb === vechten tegen de bierkaai (idiomatic, intransitive) to put in effort in vain, to strive for a lost or impossible cause, to fight a losing battle ==== Conjugation ====