wild-goose chase
C1Informal, occasionally formal in figurative use.
Definition
Meaning
A futile search or pursuit; a hopeless task with no chance of success.
An enterprise or course of action that is fruitless, pointless, or leads nowhere, often involving following misleading clues or information.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always used as a singular noun phrase. The hyphen is standard in modern usage. Implies wasted effort, frustration, and a sense of being misled.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or form. Slightly more common in British English in historical/cultural references.
Connotations
Identical connotations of futility and wasted time.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in both varieties, common in journalism and everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to send someone on a wild-goose chaseto lead someone on a wild-goose chaseto be on a wild-goose chaseto embark on a wild-goose chaseto turn into a wild-goose chaseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “chasing rainbows”
- “on a hiding to nothing”
- “barking up the wrong tree”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Criticising a market research project based on flawed data as a 'wild-goose chase'.
Academic
Describing a research hypothesis that leads to no verifiable results.
Everyday
Complaining about searching for a lost item based on bad directions.
Technical
Rare; could describe debugging based on incorrect assumptions.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Looking for her keys in the park was a wild-goose chase.
- The detective realised the anonymous tip had sent him on a wild-goose chase.
- Pursuing that line of enquiry without corroborating evidence would be a classic wild-goose chase.
- The committee's investigation into the minor procedural breach turned into a protracted wild-goose chase, diverting resources from more serious matters.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine literally chasing a wild goose – it flies away, changes direction unpredictably, and you never catch it. Perfect image for a pointless effort.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURSUIT IS A HUNT / SEARCHING IS TRAVELLING (on a path that leads nowhere).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation 'дикая охота на гусей'. The closest equivalent is 'погоня за призраком' (chasing a phantom) or 'бесполезная затея' (useless undertaking).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb ('He wild-goose chased'). It is only a noun phrase.
- Omitting the hyphen (less critical but standard).
- Confusing with 'snipe hunt' (US-specific practical joke).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most likely outcome of a 'wild-goose chase'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It originates from 16th-century horse racing, where a 'wild goose chase' was a race in which horses followed a leader like geese in flight, changing direction unpredictably. Shakespeare popularised it in 'Romeo and Juliet'.
Yes, but primarily in a figurative sense to criticise a futile course of action. It is more common in journalism and speech than in highly technical or legal prose.
The standard modern form is hyphenated: 'wild-goose chase'. Some dictionaries list it as an open compound, but the hyphen is prevalent.
They are very close synonyms. A 'wild-goose chase' often emphasises the misleading, chaotic, or protracted nature of the search. A 'fool's errand' emphasises the foolishness of the person undertaking the task from the outset.