wild goose
C1informal, literary
Definition
Meaning
a large waterfowl (genus Anser, Branta) living in natural conditions, not domesticated.
something elusive, impractical to pursue, or a fruitless endeavor; used metaphorically to describe a futile chase.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is most commonly used in the idiomatic expression 'a wild goose chase', which originates from a 16th-century horse race and describes a pointless or hopeless pursuit.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term and idiom identically. Slight preference for hyphenation ('wild-goose chase') in some UK style guides, while US typically uses open form.
Connotations
Carries the same connotations of futility and wasted effort in both cultures.
Frequency
The literal term is low frequency; the idiom 'wild goose chase' is moderately common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to be on a wild goose chaseto send someone on a wild goose chaseto chase a wild gooseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a wild goose chase”
- “chase a wild goose”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe a wasted project or a sales lead that goes nowhere. 'The client's vague brief sent the team on a wild goose chase.'
Academic
Used metaphorically in history or literary criticism to describe a futile line of inquiry. 'The search for a single author of the epic proved a wild goose chase.'
Everyday
Used to describe a pointless search or trip. 'Looking for that old record in the attic was a wild goose chase.'
Technical
Rare. In ornithology, refers strictly to non-domesticated species of goose.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- A skein of wild geese flew over the Norfolk Broads at dawn.
- He realised the investigation was turning into a proper wild-goose chase.
American English
- We saw a lone wild goose on the pond during our hike.
- The tip from the informant sent the police on a wild goose chase across three states.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Look! A wild goose on the lake.
- The bird is a wild goose.
- In autumn, wild geese fly south for the winter.
- I think finding that book will be a wild goose chase.
- The conservationists tracked the migration patterns of the wild geese.
- The journalist complained that following the rumour was a complete wild goose chase.
- The poet used the image of a solitary wild goose to symbolise longing and displacement.
- The CEO warned the board against funding any more wild goose chases disguised as market research.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine chasing a real goose that keeps flying away; you'll never catch it, making your effort as useless as the idiom suggests.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE PURSUIT OF THE UNATTAINABLE IS CHASING A WILD BIRD.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation 'дикий гусь' for the idiom. The equivalent Russian idiom is 'гнаться за двумя зайцами' (to chase two hares) or 'искать иголку в стоге сена' (to look for a needle in a haystack) for a futile search. The literal 'дикий гусь' refers only to the bird.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'wild goose' as a verb (e.g., 'He wild-goosed me'). Incorrect. The idiom is a noun phrase. | Confusing 'wild goose chase' with 'snipe hunt'. A snipe hunt is a fool's errand based on a trick/prank, while a wild goose chase is a genuine but misguided pursuit.
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'a wild goose chase' primarily express?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it inherently describes a waste of time and effort. However, it can be used humorously or lightly to describe a minor, failed search.
Yes, in ornithological or general contexts to distinguish from domesticated farm geese. E.g., 'Canada geese are a common type of wild goose in North America.'
They are largely synonymous. 'Fool's errand' slightly emphasises the foolishness of the person undertaking the task, while 'wild goose chase' emphasises the elusive, chaotic nature of the pursuit itself.
The idiom is a noun phrase, so tense is carried by the surrounding verb. E.g., 'We WENT on a wild goose chase.' / 'It WAS a wild goose chase.'