1
general::
Phrase(s): (You) can’t fight city hall.
Fig. There is no way to win in a battle against a bureaucracy. • Bill: I guess I’ll go ahead and pay the tax bill. Bob: Might as well. You can’t fight city hall. • Mary: How did things go at your meeting with the zoning board? Sally: I gave up. Can’t fight city hall.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Unable to overcome bureaucratic rules, as in Brad couldn't get a permit without going through channels? you can't fight City Hall! This term transfers the seat of city government to a more general sense of bureaucracy in any sphere. [Mid-1800s] can't help Also, can't help but or cannot but. Be unable to do otherwise. For example, I can't help thinking that the keys will turn up eventually, or He couldn't help but believe he would pass the entrance exam, or I cannot but applaud his efforts. The first of these phrases, can't help, is always followed by a present participle whereas the others take an infinitive. [c. 1700]
American Heritage Idioms