Athens

bring owls to Athens

To do or undertake something redundant, pointless, or futile. It refers to the city of Athens in the time of Ancient Greece, where silver coins were minted with the image of an owl (which were abundant in the city). Thus, to bring either owls or silver to Athens would be a useless venture. The councilor's plans to improve the economy by increasing taxes simply would be bringing owls to Athens.
See also: Athens, bring, owl

send owls to Athens

To do or undertake something redundant, pointless, or futile. It refers to the city of Athens in the time of Ancient Greece, where silver coins were minted with the image of an owl (which were abundant in the city). Thus, to bring either owls or silver to Athens would be a useless venture. Creating a business to export olive oil to Italy is like sending owls to Athens! His plans to improve the economy by increasing taxes would simply be sending owls to Athens.
See also: Athens, owl, send
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • bring owls to Athens
  • send owls to Athens
  • bring sand to the beach
  • piss up a rope
  • piss in the wind
  • piss in(to) the wind
  • spit in(to) the wind
  • spitting in the wind
  • be pissing in(to) the wind
  • be spitting in(to) the wind
References in classic literature
And he whirled his club aloft more threateningly than ever, as if he were about to smite them with a thunderstroke right amidships, because Athens, so little while ago, had been at war with Crete.
"Theseus," said the maiden, "you can now get on board your vessel, and sail away for Athens."
"No," answered the young man; "I will never leave Crete unless I can first slay the Minotaur, and save my poor companions, and deliver Athens from this cruel tribute."
To make my story short, the poor captives were awakened, and, hardly knowing whether it was not a joyful dream, were told of what Theseus had done, and that they must set sail for Athens before daybreak.
But my father, King Aegeus, and my dear mother, Aethra, and all the fathers and mothers in Athens, and all the sons and daughters too, will love and honor thee as their benefactress.
They say, too, that Prince Theseus (who would have died sooner than wrong the meanest creature in the world) ungratefully deserted Ariadne, on a solitary island, where the vessel touched on its voyage to Athens. But, had the noble Theseus heard these falsehoods, he would have served their slanderous authors as he served the Minotaur!
At first, King Minos will be angry; but he will soon forgive his only child; and, by and by, he will rejoice, I know, that no more youths and maidens must come from Athens to be devoured by the Minotaur.
However, he sent for his dear mother to Athens, and, by taking her advice in matters of state, became a very excellent monarch, and was greatly beloved by his people.
Tanglewood Tales
Dressed in the green jersey of his Athens team, Mughal and more than a dozen of his countrymen gathered in his apartment on a sweltering Sunday morning to watch Pakistan defeat South Africa over bottles of chilled water and soft drinks.
Pakistan's street cricketers bring game to life in Greece
'It is particularly good that soon there will be the first prayer from the imam of the Athens mosque.
Greece: Athens Set To Open First Formal Mosque In Over 180 Years
The inaugural flight, WY 193, departed Muscat International Airport at 14:35 arriving in Athens at 19:50.
Oman Air launches new service to Athens
The inaugural flight, WY 193 departed Muscat International Airport at 2.35pm as it will arrive in Athens at 7.50pm.
OMAN AIR COMMENCES DAILY DIRECT FLIGHTS TO GREECE
The inaugural flight, WY 193 departed Muscat International Airport at 14:35 as it will arrive in Athens at 19:50.
Oman Air Launches New Destination to Athens
The event takes place annually in Athens and includes all carriers that operate to and from Athens International Airport.
Gulf Air 'fastest growing airline' in Middle East