名人教英文：对牛弹琴
对牛弹琴，英文的日常话，没有牛也不讲琴，就是一句it's like talking to a wall. it's just like talking to a brick wall︰就像跟一幅墙说话、不就像向一幅砖墙说话。无反应，没意思。
i tried to discuss the proposal with them, but it's like talking to a (brick) wall. 我曾试图跟他们讨论建议，但只是对牛弹琴。
另一句类似的话是preaching to deaf ears，向聋耳（陈）讲道、说教，亦即讲来嘥气。
they tried to explain racial harmony, but it's just like preaching to deaf ears.
他们尝试解释族裔共融，但似对牛弹琴，无功而返。
英文传统也有一句︰preaching to the choir，「向圣诗班传道」，是说圣诗班中人自然都是信徒，还向他们传教，实属多余。
we knew it all. i am afraid you're preaching to the choir.
这事我们都知道、都懂得，你不必多费唇舌了。
但很明显，上述的「多余」，主要是因为去重复人家已知的事，只见无无谓谓，跟原装的对牛弹琴颇有点分明。