劳而无功

They attempted in vain to modernise these antiquated industries.

他们企图使这些陈旧的业代化,结果劳而无功。

Italian element has " shoemaking is regnal " say, promote shoe as good as to carry stone on the back at past Mount Taishan there, nature is work fruitlessly.

意大利素有“制鞋王国”之称，到那里推销鞋无异于往山背石头，自然是劳而无功。