Wild goose chase
English Idiom
Meaning: A wild goose chase refers to a pointless or futile search for something that is difficult, if not impossible, to find. It's like embarking on an errand or mission where success is unlikely, and you often end up wasting time and effort.
Origin: The idiom 'wild goose chase' has its roots in the 16th century, originally stemming from a type of horseback riding game in England. In this game, riders would follow a leader in a pattern that mimicked the erratic flight of wild geese. Shakespeare popularized the term in his play 'Romeo and Juliet,' further cementing its place in the English language.
Examples
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Searching for a parking spot in downtown during rush hour felt like a wild goose chase.
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His attempt to find the original manuscript in the cluttered attic turned into a wild goose chase.
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They went on a wild goose chase trying to locate the legendary hidden treasure.
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Hunting for the perfect vintage dress in thrift shops can often be a wild goose chase.
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The detective realized he had been sent on a wild goose chase and decided to investigate a different lead.
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Her quest to find the rare ingredient for the recipe turned into a wild goose chase across the city.
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Trying to get a straight answer from the bureaucratic office felt like a wild goose chase.
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He went on a wild goose chase looking for the key to the mysterious old chest.
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The tech support call turned into a wild goose chase with no solution in sight.
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Their journey to find the mythical creature was nothing more than a wild goose chase.
