like trying to put out a fire or prevent boiling water from bubbling over—a futile effort
? 當是之時，吏治若～，非武健嚴酷，惡能勝其任而愉快乎！ (《史記·酷吏列傳》) Then the officials’ attempt to maintain order was like trying to put out a fire or prevent boiling water from bubbling over. Only the most ruthless and harshest could carry out this task satisfactorily.
救火揚沸jiu huo yang fei
pour boiling water to put out the fire—not a basic solution to the problem
救火揚沸jiù huǒ yánɡ fèi
比喻在危急情況下，采取治標不治本的措施，無法徹底解除危機。put out a fire and to shake the boiling, a futile effort