expression, i-adjective
foolish; nonsensical; absurd; ridiculous; trifling
Describes speech, ideas, or arguments that are so silly or worthless they are not worth taking seriously. Often used in the negative form 愚にもつかないことを言う (to say something foolish).
彼の提案は愚にもつかないものだった。
His proposal was utterly foolish.
そんな愚にもつかない話
Let's stop that nonsensical talk.
馬鹿げた is a more direct 'stupid' or 'absurd,' while 愚にもつかない emphasizes that something is so trivial or silly it's not even worth considering.
つまらない means 'boring' or 'trivial,' but 愚にもつかない carries a stronger nuance of foolishness and worthlessness.
Literally 'not even attached to foolishness,' from 愚 (foolishness) + に + つかない (does not attach). The phrase implies something so trivial it cannot even be called foolish. The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a set expression in modern Japanese.