Definition

1. Noun:
   • A futile or hopeless pursuit; a pointless search for something that cannot be found or achieved: A "wild-goose chase" is a task or activity that is a waste of time because it has no chance of success. The phrase evokes the idea of chasing after wild geese, which are difficult to catch and lead the pursuer on a long, erratic, and ultimately unsuccessful path.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Trying to find a parking spot downtown during the festival turned into a complete wild-goose chase.
  • The detective realized the anonymous tip had sent him on a wild-goose chase, wasting valuable time.
  • Searching for the author of that anonymous manuscript is a wild-goose chase; the records were lost centuries ago.

Advanced Usage

• "to be on a wild-goose chase": to be engaged in a futile pursuit.
  • I think we're on a wild-goose chase looking for that rare book in these small shops.
• "to send someone on a wild-goose chase": to cause someone to engage in a futile pursuit, often deliberately.
  • The prankster sent his friend on a wild-goose chase across town for a fictional restaurant.

Variants and Related Words

• Fool's errand (noun phrase): a task or activity that has no hope of success.
  • Asking him to be on time was a fool's errand.
• Snipe hunt (noun phrase, chiefly North American): a practical joke or futile task involving the search for an imaginary object.
  • The new recruits were sent on a snipe hunt as an initiation ritual.

Synonyms

• Futile pursuit
• Hopeless quest
• Vain endeavor
• Fruitless search

Related Phrases

• Chasing rainbows: Pursuing an unrealistic or unattainable goal.
  • He's chasing rainbows if he thinks he can become a concert pianist without years of practice.
• On a hiding to nothing (chiefly British): Involved in a situation where one cannot succeed.
  • Trying to please everyone is a hiding to nothing.

Noun

1. the fruitless pursuit of something unattainable