Coals to Newcastle

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Selling, carrying, bringing or taking coal(s) to Newcastle is an idiom of English origin describing a pointless action. It refers to the fact that, historically, the economy of Newcastle upon Tyne, in North East England, was a great centre of coal shipments from nearby mines; therefore any attempt to sell coal to Newcastle would be foolhardy, as supply would be greater there than anywhere else in Britain. Similarly, Newcastle in New South Wales, which is named after the English city, has after abundant coal deposits and one of the largest coal ports in the world; hence it would also be meaningless to ship coal there.

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