杓しゃく子しで腹はらを切きる

expression, godan verb (-ru)

to attempt the impossible; to try to do something absurd

Idiomatic expression literally meaning 'to cut one's belly with a ladle', used to describe a futile or impossible task. Often used in negative or rhetorical contexts.

• そんな計けい画かくは杓しゃく子しで腹はらを切きるようなものだ。

  That plan is like trying to cut your belly with a ladle—it's impossible.

• 彼かれに説せっ得とくしろなんて、杓しゃく子しで腹はらを切きれと言いうに等ひとしい。

  Telling me to persuade him is like asking me to do the impossible.