useless skill
[ˈjuːsləs skɪl]
nounpl: useless skills
habilidade inútil
1. An ability or competence that has no practical value, purpose, or application in real-world situations
Learning to juggle flaming torches is a useless skill unless you're a circus performer.
Aprender a malabarear tochas em chamas é uma habilidade inútil a menos que você seja um artista de circo.
2. A talent or proficiency that does not contribute to solving problems or achieving meaningful goals
He spent years mastering a useless skill that nobody would ever hire him for.
Ele passou anos dominando uma habilidade inútil pela qual ninguém nunca o contrataria.
This phrase is commonly used in American and Brazilian contexts when discussing career development and education. In Brazil, there's cultural emphasis on 'useful' skills (habilidades úteis) for employment, whereas in the USA, there's often reference to 'marketable skills.' The term is often used humorously to describe hobby skills or party tricks that have no professional value.
NYC Slang
a dead-end skill / a waste of time talent
Related Idioms & Phrases
a skill that won't get you anywhere
a dime a dozen talent
more trouble than it's worth
barking up the wrong tree with that ability
spinning your wheels
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