Dialog 1 spin one's wheels [ 空回りする ]

Angela:A complaint came in about Chaka eating at the information counter.
Yukio:Another complaint?! Customers have also complained about her bad attitude and her impatience with them. She also comes to work late.
Angela:Why don't you have another talk with her?
Yukio:No. I would just be spinning my wheels. I've already talked to her many times about each of these complaints. We should just let her go.

Dialog 2 pave the way for something/someone [ 道を切り開く、下地を作る ]

Yukio:Wow! Both Maru Hayatama and Bai Iehashi are going to play for Major League Baseball next year.
Angela:I don't remember seeing any Japanese players in the States when I was a kid.
Yukio:Nomo paved the way for Japanese players when he was voted Rookie of the Year in '95 for the Dodgers.
Angela:He must have. There are tons of Japanese ball players in the major leagues now.