a waste of money and manpower; exhaust the people and drain the trea sury ❍ 以后你府县再不可供献金灯，～也。(《西游记》九十二) From now on your county should never offer any more gold lamps so as to avoid wasting money and manpower.
劳民伤财lao min shang cai
tire the people and drain the treasury
劳民伤财
exhaust the people and drain the treasury;waste both money and manpower
劳民伤财láo mín shānɡ cái
使人民受苦受累，又浪费财物。比喻不讲效果滥用人力物力。waste money and manpower, exhaust the people and drain the treasury, harass the people and waste money, spend blood and treasure