can't do anything with

can't do anything with (someone or something)

Cannot manage or contain someone or something. You just can't do anything with three energetic toddlers, and I have a headache from trying. I can't do anything with all these books and papers my daughter brings home from school—it's like they multiply overnight!
See also: anything
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

can't do anything with someone or something

not [to be] able to manage or control someone or something. (Also with cannot.) Bill is such a discipline problem. I can't do anything with him. My hair is such a mess. I just can't do anything with it.
See also: anything
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

can't do anything with

Unable to cope with or manage someone or something. For example, I can't do anything with my hair, or My teenage daughter is very difficult-I can't do anything with her. This expression uses do in the sense of "deal with," a usage dating from the early 1500s.
See also: anything
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • can't do anything with (someone or something)
  • you can run, but you can't hide
  • get (someone or something) out of (one's) mind
  • get out of mind
  • desert (someone or something) to (someone or something)
  • desert to
  • if you can't beat 'em
  • can't have it both ways
  • you, etc. can't have it both ways
  • you can't run with the hare and hunt with the hounds