水みず掛かけ論ろん

noun

endless argument; pointless dispute; futile discussion

Refers to a back-and-forth argument that never reaches a conclusion, like two people arguing over whose field to water during a drought. The literal image is of a futile dispute where neither side can win.

• その会かい議ぎは水みず掛かけ論ろんに終おわった。