save your breath

save (one's) breath

To spare the effort of saying something, doing something, or making an appeal that will be futile. Save your breath, Tom. There's no way they'll agree to the deal. I was going to complain to the phone company about the extra charges, but I decided to save my breath.
See also: breath, save
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

save your breath

If you tell someone to save their breath, you mean that they should not bother saying something, because you will not agree to it or you do not want to hear it. `If you're going to tell me about the extra week you want to spend in New York, you can save your breath,' she said.
See also: breath, save
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

save your breath

not bother to say something because it is pointless.
See also: breath, save
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

save your ˈbreath

(spoken) do not waste your time speaking to somebody because they will not listen to your comments, advice, suggestions, etc: Save your breath. He never listens to anybody.This phrase comes from a longer saying: ‘save your breath to cool your porridge’.
See also: breath, save
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

save your breath

Don’t bother to tell me about it. The image of expending one’s breath to utter what no one wants to hear dates from the sixteenth century. In early English parlance it often was to keep one’s breath (or wind) to cool one’s pottage/porridge/broth (by blowing on it). Jonathan Swift (Polite Conversation, 1738) wrote, “Pray keep your breath to cool your porridge.” Today the food-cooling phrase is obsolete, but the first portion survives as a cliché. See also waste one's breath.
See also: breath, save
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • a fast talker
  • a/the feel of (something)
  • (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
  • a straw will show which way the wind blows
  • a crack at (someone or something)
  • all right
  • (you) wanna make something of it?
  • all for the best
  • a thing of the past
  • a slew of (something)
References in classic literature
"You'd better save your breath," Doctor Sarson advised him grimly.
The Vanished Messenger
"If you would speak to the Earl on such a subject, you insolent young puppy, you may save your breath," thundered an angry voice, and Simon de Montfort strode, scowling, into the room.
The Outlaw of Torn
I don't hear a word, and you may as well save your breath to answer my question."
Eight Cousins
I know exactly what you want to say, so save your breath to cool your porridge.
The Golden Road
Even wiping out, getting turned around under water, having to relax to save your breath, giving yourself over to the will of the ocean.
A personal (eco) challenge: ACF COMMUNITY ORGANISING PROGRAM MANAGER, TERYN CRICK, WRITES ABOUT THE BALANCE HER NEWFOUND LOVE OF SURFING BRINGS TO HER LIFE
The Advertiser's Facebook readers have now responded to Mr Reid's comments, with Brian Cairney posting: "Truth be told, if it [the hospital] is built in Airdrie it will not serve the outer areas of Glasgow and beyond - so save your breath, it's Gartcosh."
Your views on the news
save your breath. Norfolk's heard them all already, even from her own kids.
Noodle the pig calls Schaumburg home
It is better to save your breath for where it's needed and right now it's in the third ODI.
It's time to rise again said Sarfaraz Ahmed
And then you ran, Oggy Oggy Oggying at the first underpass, though you knew you should save your breath.
Don't stop for that biscuit, you have to beat Batman; SIGHTS OF TYNESIDE THAT MAKE RUN SO SPECIAL
If the entertainment value is what would attract you to this title, save your breath and time, because the film offers next to no amusement and is just another hollywood flick that will be lost in the fray.
Death Note Review: A big let down for fans of the Manga
If you haven't already stopped investing your limited supply of office time in fruitless attempts to convince vaccine-hesitant parents to immunize their children, a small study at the University of North Carolina Women's Hospital in Chapel Hill might finally convince you it's time to save your breath for other more achievable goals.
Save your breath
If you haven't already stopped investing your limited supply of office time in fruitless attempts to convince vaccine-hesitant parents to immunize their children, a small study at North Carolina Women's Hospital in Chapel Hill might finally convince you it's time to save your breath for other more achievable goals.
Commentary: Faced with vaccine refusers? Save your breath
10: Joining in the oggy, oggy, oggy at the first underpass, even though you know you should save your breath.
36 things you only know if you've done the Great North Run; The Great North Run is world famous but here are some things you only know if you've actually taken part
I told him, 'you don't have to say thank you every time I bring a glass of water - please save your breath.'.
Tragic end to family's fight to cure son,12
"Save your breath to cool your porridge"- London's mayor Boris Johnson, inviting a period of silence from Alex Salmond.
THEY SAY