Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

a wild goose chase

idiom
/ə waɪld ɡus tʃeɪs/
Definition
A futile pursuit or a hopeless endeavor that is unlikely to succeed.
Examples
  • Looking for the lost keys in the vast park felt like a wild goose chase.
  • After hours of searching for the missing document, I realized it was a wild goose chase.
  • Trying to convince him to change his mind was just a wild goose chase.
Meaning
The term refers to a situation where someone is chasing after something that is impossible to catch or obtain, often leading to wasted time and effort.
Synonyms
  • futile effort
  • fruitless pursuit
  • pointless chase