(you) can't fight city hall

(you) can't fight city hall

You cannot defeat or prevail over a bureaucratic system or its rules. You might as well pay those parking tickets now because you'll never win in court. You can't fight city hall, after all.
See also: city, fight, hall
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

(You) can't fight city hall.

Fig. There is no way to win in a battle against a bureaucracy. Bill: I guess I'll go ahead and pay the tax bill. Bob: Might as well. You can't fight city hall. Mary: How did things go at your meeting with the zoning board? Sally: I gave up. Can't fight city hall.
See also: city, fight, hall
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

can't fight City Hall

Unable to overcome bureaucratic rules, as in Brad couldn't get a permit without going through channels-you can't fight City Hall! This term transfers the seat of city government to a more general sense of bureaucracy in any sphere. [Mid-1800s]
See also: city, fight, hall
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

You can’t fight city hall

sent. You cannot fight a bureaucracy. You can’t fight city hall. Pay the parking ticket and forget it.
See also: city, fight, hall
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

you can't fight City Hall

See can't fight city hall.
See also: city, fight, hall
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • can't fight City Hall
  • hall
  • You can’t fight city hall
  • you can't fight City Hall
  • go fight city hall
  • city
  • win out
  • make (one) pay through the nose
  • win out over (someone or something)
  • red tape