ɡoʊ ɒn ə waɪld ɡuːs tʃeɪs
Animals
informal
intermediate
- Literally:
- To chase after wild geese
What does "go on a wild goose chase" mean?
- To pursue something that is impossible to catch or find
- To engage in a futile or hopeless search
Examples
- I spent all day on a wild goose chase looking for that document.
- The tip turned out to be false—it was just a wild goose chase.
- Don't send me on another wild goose chase!
Origin
From a 16th-century horse-racing game where horses followed a lead horse in formation (like geese in flight). Later came to mean a foolish pursuit.
How to use it
Emphasizes wasted time and effort. Often used in frustration after an unproductive search.
Similar expressions
fool's errand
waste of time
futile pursuit
Opposites
productive search
successful hunt
Related idioms
- kill two birds with one stone
To accomplish two goals with a single action
- let the cat out of the bag
To reveal a secret accidentally
- elephant in the room
An obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of but no one wants to discuss
- don't count your chickens before they hatch
Don't assume success before it actually happens
- hold your horses
To wait and be patient
- fish out of water
Someone who feels awkward or uncomfortable in a particular situation
Use it in a practice answer
Try "go on a wild goose chase" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.