wrangle for an ass's shadow

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wrangle for an ass's shadow

To argue over trivial matters. The phrase derives from a Greek legend in which a traveler rents an ass and then squabbles with its owner when they both want to sit in the ass's shadow to avoid the sun. Primarily heard in UK. There's no correct way to hang Christmas lights, so quit wrangling for an ass's shadow and decorate the house already!
See also: shadow, wrangle
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • sling