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wild goose chase
01
a pursuit or search for something that is unlikely to produce any useful result
Disapproving
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "wild goose chase" and when to use it?
The idiom "wild goose chase" is believed to have originated in the 16th century in England. The phrase describes a type of hunting game, where hunters would pursue a flock of wild geese in a seemingly endless and fruitless pursuit. Today, the idiom is commonly used to describe a situation where someone is pursuing something that is unlikely to be achieved or is a waste of time and effort.
Example
Searching for the lost item without any leads is like going on a wild goose chase - it's unlikely that we'll find it.
The detective is chasing down a lead that is likely to be a wild goose chase, as it's based on unreliable information.
The team spent weeks on a wild goose chase trying to find a solution to the problem, only to realize that it was caused by a simple error.
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