boil the ocean

English

Verb

boil the ocean (third-person singular simple present boils the ocean, present participle boiling the ocean, simple past and past participle boiled the ocean)

1. (figuratively) To undertake an overwhelmingly difficult task or approach to a problem.
   • 2010 March 9, “Whitman defines herself as the un-Schwarzenegger”, in ABC News:

     Whitman said she will not try to "boil the ocean" by taking on too much.

Further reading

• “boil the ocean” (US) / “boil the ocean” (UK) in Macmillan English Dictionary.