pile Pelion on Ossa



pile Pelion on Ossa

1. To further complicate something that is already tedious or challenging. Ossa and Pelion are two mountains in Greece. A: "I told Becky you would pick her up." B: "I already have so much to do today—quit piling Pelion on Ossa!" Just when I thought I was almost done sorting these files, my boss piled Pelion on Ossa and brought me another box of them.
2. To do something that seems futile. I know that I'm just piling Pelion on Ossa by telling you to stay away from that boy, but I'm your father, and I don't want to see you get hurt. That couch will never fit up the steps—tell them to stop piling Pelion on Ossa!
See also: on, ossa, Pelion, pile

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Vitalik-Russian, Ukrainian
HilleviHIL-le-vee (Swedish), HEEL-le-vee (Finnish)Swedish, Finnish
Hero (2)-Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Mattin-Basque
Arthfael-Ancient Celtic
Milanka-Serbian, Croatian