mug's game

American  

noun

1. a foolish, useless, or ill-advised venture.

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Etymology

Origin of mug's game

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

In a 2006 interview with BBC Radio 4, he told Patrick Humphries that he had come to the conclusion that writing was "a mug's game" and he didn't miss it.

From BBC

Interpreting stock market returns as snapshots of the economy is a mug’s game.

From Los Angeles Times

Believing the claims of technology promoters that one or another nirvana is just around the corner is a mug’s game.

From Los Angeles Times

According to Wu, it’s a “mug’s game to try to pick winners and predict technological breakthroughs.”

From MarketWatch

It closed that day at $193.60, delivering a prompt lesson that investing in stocks based on claims touted online is a mug’s game.

From Los Angeles Times