wasted effort; fruitless effort; vain efforts
Refers to effort that yields no result; often used in the phrase 無駄骨を折る (to waste one's efforts).
His efforts ended up being wasted.
Doing that will only be a waste of effort.
無駄 is a broader term for waste or futility, while 無駄骨 specifically emphasizes wasted physical or mental effort.
骨折り means 'effort' or 'pains taken', often used positively; 無駄骨 is always negative, meaning effort that is wasted.
Standard kanji spelling.
Search-only mixed kana-kanji form; not a standard spelling.
Rarely used kanji form; 無駄骨 is preferred.
Formed from 無駄, “futile or wasted,” and 骨, used figuratively for exertion or labor; the compound denotes fruitless effort.