n.: bark [bay] at the moon [bay the moon], futile, fruitless labor, futile effort, draw water in [with] a sieve(=pour water into a sieve)., the stone of Sisyphus, draw water with a sieve (=pour water into a sieve), all for nought, lost labour, an issueless effort, beat the wind, beat the air, in vain, ungratefulness, mockery