wild-goose chase

American  

[wahyld-goos] / ˈwaɪldˈgus /

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.

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wild-goose chase British  

noun

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

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wild goose chase Idioms  

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of wild-goose chase

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

He considered leading me off on some wild-goose chase.

From Literature

One of the cinematic highlights of the 2024 New York International Children’s Film Festival could be described, at least partly, as a wild-goose chase.

From New York Times

At least the Victorians were just sending their friends on a wild-goose chase to be funny, and not actively poisoning them.

From Seattle Times

After something like a wild-goose chase, the grounds crew wrapped the big bird in a towel, placed it into a plastic recycling bin and retreated back into the Dodgers dugout.

From Los Angeles Times

“Mr. Rosen, I have no intention of sending my journalists out on a wild-goose chase.”

From Literature