wild-goose chase

[ wahyld-goos ]

noun

1. a wild or absurd search for something nonexistent or unobtainable:

   a wild-goose chase looking for a building long demolished.

2. any senseless pursuit of an object or end; a hopeless enterprise:

   Her scheme of being a movie star is a wild-goose chase.

wild-goose chase

noun

1. an absurd or hopeless pursuit, as of something unattainable

Word History and Origins

Origin of wild-goose chase¹

First recorded in 1585–95

Idioms and Phrases

A futile search or pursuit, as in I think she sent us on a wild goose chase looking for their beach house . This idiom originally referred to a form of 16th-century horseracing requiring riders to follow a leader in a particular formation (presumably resembling a flock of geese in flight). Its figurative use dates from about 1600.

Example Sentences

People might well have argued that it was a waste of money to send Christopher Columbus on a wild goose chase.

From The Daily Beast

"If you tell me to I s'pose I must, but I think it's a wild-goose chase anyhow," was the disapproving answer.

From Project Gutenberg

"I like him well enough to go on a wild-goose chase in search of him," the lady replied.

From Project Gutenberg

Miss Waller instantly denounced the scheme as a wild-goose chase, asserting that May was certain to lose her way.

From Project Gutenberg

In another minute he'd be on his way to a strange sun and a strange world, on what might well be the wild-goose chase of all time.

From Project Gutenberg

But nothing could be heard at first, and Mr. Blowitt again intimated that they were engaged in a "wild-goose chase."

From Project Gutenberg