wild-goose chase
Hopeless errand undertaken
A wild-goose chase is a futile pursuit of something unattainable or nonexistent.
The phrase suggests wasted effort chasing something that can't be caught—like trying to catch a wild goose by running after it.
The tip sent detectives on a wild-goose chase across three states.
I spent hours looking for that file—turned out to be a complete wild-goose chase.
- snipe huntPrank seeking nonexistent prey
- fruitlessProducing no useful outcome
- lost causeEndeavor certain to fail
- pursuitAct of chasing something
- chasing shadowsPursuing the unattainable
futile · red herring · fool's gold · pointless · waste of time · spinning your wheels · tilting at windmills · barking up the wrong tree · beating a dead horse · fool's errand · folly · chasing rainbows · running in circles · exercise in futility · unproductive · go off into the weeds · ineffectual · tilt at windmills
wild-goose chasesure thing
Guaranteed outcome or agreement
slam dunk · winning strategy · home run · jackpot · calculated risk
wild-goose chasestraight shot
Direct unimpeded trajectory
clear path · direct route · beeline · direct approach · straight path
wild, chase, goose, wildly, wilderness, wildlife, wildness, chaser, wildfire