Many years ago Mum was very cross with all of us and was having one of her 'rants' (probably justified). Dad came in from the garden and tried to calm everything down, when it didn't work he went into the lounge shaking his head and saying 'I feel like a thimble of water trying to put out a raging fire'
You wouldn't believe how many times I have used that saying in my house!
Kathryn