The phrase "holding onto water" is often used to describe a situation or action that is futile or impossible. It implies that water is difficult or impossible to grasp or contain, much like certain things in life that are transient or elusive.

For example, if someone says, "Trying to control every aspect of life is like holding onto water," it suggests that exerting excessive control or attempting to manage every detail is futile because life is unpredictable and ever-changing, much like water slipping through your fingers.

In a broader sense, the phrase can also refer to trying to retain or preserve something that is inherently impermanent or elusive, such as trying to hold onto memories or moments that inevitably fade with time.

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