1.  in vain: with no practical effect or useful result; 无用的，徒劳的，没有实际效果的


Example sentence:

1. Former President Clinton thinks U.N. weapons inspectors should be given "a little more time" in Iraq, but Bush administration believe that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is playing games and more inspections would be futile.

前总统Clinton认为应该给联合国武器检查人员更多些时间，但Bush政府认为伊拉克领导人Saddam在玩游戏，更多的武器检查是徒劳的。

2. Coach Phil Jackson of the Lakers made several defensive adjustments before the second game, but they proved futile.

湖人队主教练Phil Jackson在第二场比赛前做了些防守调整，但最后还是证明是徒劳的。


Los Angeles Lakers



Former President Clinton