wild goose

American  

noun

1. any undomesticated goose, especially the greylag of Britain or the Canada goose.

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Etymology

Origin of wild goose

before 1050; Middle English; Old English

Example Sentences

“They are usually made up of averages and all they do is take you down this wild goose chase. There are always caveats, and you never get to the answer.”

From MarketWatch

A framed photo of a scene from the 1915 film “The Wild Goose Chase,” starring Ina Claire, shows Cecil B. DeMille directing, in center.

From Los Angeles Times

“Ostrich chase! More like a wild goose chase, that’s what this was!”

From Literature

“That was one of many wild goose chases that I had to go on, because you never know,” Rinaudo says.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’ll be gone as a wild goose in winter.”

From The Wall Street Journal