bracha levatala

noun2

1. •
   (Judaism) a blessing said in vain

   • You don't say hamotzi on brisket! That's totally a bracha levatala!
2. •
   (Judaism, figurative) a waste, a pointless action

   • I spent the whole day trying to get to the market, but by they were closed by the time I got there! The whole thing was a bracha levatala.