chase one's (own) tail
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Определение и Значение "chase one's (own) tail"

to chase one's (own) tail
01

Предпринимать действия, которые неэффективны

to try hard yet achieve very little or nothing at all
to [chase] {one's} (own|) tail definition and meaning
DisapprovingDisapproving
IdiomIdiom
InformalInformal

What is the origin of the idiom "chase one's tail" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "chase one's tail" is related to the behavior of dogs, who may chase their own tails in circles without ever catching them. The phrase has been in use in English since at least the early 20th century, and it is often applied to situations where someone is engaging in fruitless activity, such as repeatedly trying to solve a problem using the same ineffective approach. In general, the phrase is used to describe a situation where someone is expending a lot of energy without making any real progress towards their goals.

example
Example
click on words
He 's just chasing his own tail.
The cat chased its tail in circles, creating a hilariously entertaining scene.
The excited puppy capered around the yard, chasing its tail with enthusiasm.
example
Пример
He's just chasing his own tail.
The cat chased its tail in circles, creating a hilariously entertaining scene.
The excited puppy capered around the yard, chasing its tail with enthusiasm.
Look, the dog is chasing its tail again.
The cat darted frantically around the room, chasing its tail.
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