в Тулу со своим самоваром

Literally, "(going) to Tula with your own samovar"; see owls to Athens and coals to Newcastle. The phrase derives from the fact that Tula is well known for samovars. The phrase was coined by Chekhov.

• IPA^(key): [ˈf‿tulʊ sə‿svɐˈim səmɐˈvarəm]

в Ту́лу со свои́м самова́ром • (v Túlu so svoím samovárom)

1. to do something that is not needed
   • (Can we date this quote?) (Please provide the book title or journal name)‎:

     И колле́ги удивлённо пожима́ют плеча́ми: В Ту́лу со свои́м самова́ром?

     I kollégi udivljónno požimájut plečámi: V Túlu so svoím samovárom?

     And the colleagues shrug their shoulders: to Tula with the samovar?

• е́здить в Ту́лу со свои́м самова́ром (jézditʹ v Túlu so svoím samovárom)