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)

1. there is no use trying to fight against (or to win, overcome) somebody or something that is stronger than you