- A futile search or pursuit; chasing something that is impossible to catch or find, or that doesn't exist. A pointless errand.
Explanation
Origin
- One theory suggests it comes from an old type of horse race (16th century) called a wild-goose chase.
- In this race, the lead horse rode off unpredictably, and following riders had to maintain a set formation behind them, mimicking the V-formation of wild geese in flight. This was difficult and often chaotic.
- Another theory relates it more directly to the difficulty of actually catching a wild goose, which is notoriously hard to hunt or follow.
- Shakespeare used it in Romeo and Juliet (Act 2, Scene 4), referencing the horse race sense. Over time, it came to mean any hopeless pursuit.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Running around like a headless chicken (Implies panicked, directionless activity, often futile)
- Chasing rainbows (Pursuing unrealistic dreams)
- Barking up the wrong tree (Pursuing a mistaken course of action or inquiry)
- A complete waste of time/effort
More Formal:
- A futile endeavor
- An unproductive search
- A pointless exercise
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- Suitable for describing a frustrating or unproductive search or task.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Figurative. Doesn't involve literal geese. Learners should focus on the pointless pursuit aspect.
Examples
- The mechanic sent me on a wild goose chase looking for a part that doesn't even exist.
- After searching for hours, I realized the treasure map was leading us on a wild goose chase.
- He thought he had a lead, but it turned out to be another wild goose chase.
Dialogue
Person A: Did you find that rare book you were looking for?
Person B: No, I went to three different bookstores the librarian recommended. Total wild goose chase. Apparently, it's been out of print for decades.
Person A: Ah, that's too bad.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Spent all morning trying to contact customer service. Got transferred 5 times. Complete wild goose chase. 😠#customerservicefail
- Facebook Post: My search for the perfect vintage armchair continues... feeling like it might be a wild goose chase! #vintagehunting #interiordesign
- Forum Question: Is trying to find this specific game achievement basically a wild goose chase, or has anyone actually done it?
Response Patterns
- Oh no, that's frustrating!
- What a waste of time.
- Are you sure it's pointless?
- So what happened? (Asking for details of the failed search)
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Expressing sympathy for the wasted effort.
- Asking for more details about the futile search.
- Discussing who or what caused the pointless errand.
- Deciding to give up the search.
Conversation Starter
- No. Describes a situation, usually one involving frustration or wasted effort.
Intonation
- Emphasis often on WILD GOOSE chase.
- Usually spoken with a tone of frustration, annoyance, or resignation about the wasted effort.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used across generations.
Regional Variations
- Common in all major English-speaking regions.