like trying to put out a fire or prevent boiling water from bubbling over—a futile effort
❍ 当是之时，吏治若～，非武健严酷，恶能胜其任而愉快乎！ (《史记·酷吏列传》) 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.
救火扬沸jiu huo yang fei
pour boiling water to put out the fire—not a basic solution to the problem
救火扬沸jiù huǒ yánɡ fèi
比喻在危急情况下，采取治标不治本的措施，无法彻底解除危机。put out a fire and to shake the boiling, a futile effort