Against the tide of history, any resistance is futile self-overestimation.
Tips
history
From 《庄子·人间世》 (Zhuangzi, 'In the Human World'): 汝不知夫螳螂乎？怒其臂以当车辙，不知其不胜任也。 - 'Don't you know the mantis? It raises its arms in fury to block the chariot's track, oblivious that it can't bear the load.' The 挡 / 当 forms are interchangeable.
usage
Pejorative - used to dismiss someone whose resistance is hopeless and self-aggrandizing. Don't apply to a brave underdog you sympathize with; for that, prefer 以卵击石 (yǐluǎnjīshí, 'eggs against rock') or 蚍蜉撼树 (pífúhànshù, 'ant trying to shake a tree').
