плетью обуха не перешибёшь
Russian
Etymology
Literally, "you can't break (in two) the butt (of a weapon) with a whip".
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): [ˈplʲetʲjʊ ˈobʊxə nʲɪ‿pʲɪrʲɪʂɨˈbʲɵʂ]
Proverb
пле́тью о́буха не перешибёшь • (plétʹju óbuxa ne perešibjóšʹ)
- there is no use trying to fight against (or to win, overcome) somebody or something that is stronger than you