wild goose chases
Bootless errand hunts
Wild goose chases are futile pursuits—efforts that lead nowhere because the goal doesn't exist or can't be caught.
The phrase evokes chasing a wild goose: exhausting, unpredictable, and ultimately pointless.
The tip sent detectives on a series of wild goose chases.
Often used to describe wasted time following bad leads or false hopes.
- snipe huntPrank seeking nonexistent prey
- capricesSudden impulsive urges
- fruitlessProducing no useful outcome
- white whaleConsuming, elusive pursuit
- boondoggleWasteful, impractical endeavor
pursuit · tilting at windmills · mirage · futile · red herring · Moby-Dick · rabbit hole · hunt · pipe dream · barking up the wrong tree · search · fool's errand · fool's gold · illusory · vain · unattainable · elusive · pointless
- deceptionslie, lies, lying, deceit, decoy
- anticshijinks, shenanigans, pranks, mischief, tomfoolery
- busyworkbusywork, make-work, grunt work, drudgery, tedium
- runaroundsexcuses, stalling, avoidance, deflection, misdirection
wild goose chasespaying off
Producing desired results
breakthroughs · sure things · home runs · slam dunks · pay dirt
wild, goose, chase, wilder, wildest, wildly, wildness, wilderness, chased