She closed her eyes tightly in a vain attempt to hold back the tears.

她紧闭双眼，却无法忍住眼泪。

《牛津词典》

The drafting committee worked through the night in a vain attempt to finish on schedule.

起草委员会徒劳地通宵工作想按期完成工作。

《柯林斯英汉双解大词典》

The caged bird flapped its wings in a vain attempt to fly away.

笼子哩的鸟拍打着翅膀想飞走，但却徒劳无功。

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More and more rural areas are being buried under concrete in a vain attempt to tackle congestion on motorways and other major routes.

ECONOMIST: Jam today, road pricing tomorrow

The Fed faces a very dangerous tradeoff: risk higher inflation by expanding the monetary base (currency plus bank reserves) in a vain attempt to lower unemployment.

FORBES: The Limits Of Monetary Policy Call For Moral, Sound Money

It did not prove an expensive miss, but there were further problems for Ponting in the final session as he rotated his bowlers in a vain attempt to break the partnership between Kallis and Prince.

BBC: SA coach Mickey Arthur