a futile attempt 徒劳的尝试；无效的尝试；白套近乎

【例句】
We talked to him in a futile attempt to change his mind.
我们试图说服他改变想法但徒劳的尝试。

Soon after, the Jovians arrived on the scene and the Amarrians made a futile attempt to subjugate them, resulting in a humiliating defeat.
不久之后，朱庇特人到来而艾玛帝国试图征服他们的努力无效，导致了一场屈辱的失败。