chase one's (own) tail

/tʃˈeɪs wˈɒnz ˈəʊn ɔː tˈeɪl/

/tʃˈeɪs wˈʌnz ˈoʊn ɔːɹ tˈeɪl/

[phrase]

to chase one's (own) tail

[PHRASE]

to try hard yet achieve very little or nothing at all

to [chase] {one's} (own|) tail definition and meaning

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.

Examples

1. I've been trying to finish this project for hours, but I feel like I'm just chasing my tail.

2. It's like she's constantly chasing her tail.

3. It's like, well, OK-- because that will be part of chasing your tail.

4. But when you do that, all you're doing is chasing your tail, going in and out at all the wrong times, So it's very hard.

Nearby words