μετριάζειν
From LSJ
εἰς τὸν τετρημένον πίθον ἀντλεῖν → run water into a punctured pitcher, to the perforated jar bale water, labour in vain, labor in vain
Greek > English (Woodhouse Verbs Reversed)
(see also μετριάζω): be moderate, keep within bounds
