- an absurd or hopeless pursuit, as of something unattainable
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ˈwild-ˈgoose ˌchase, n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- a senseless search for something that does not exist or that cannot possibly be found or obtained:They're off on another wild-goose chase to see if they can find a replacement part for that foreign car.
wild′-goose′ chase′
(wīld′go̅o̅s′),USA pronunciation
- a wild or absurd search for something nonexistent or unobtainable:a wild-goose chase looking for a building long demolished.
- any senseless pursuit of an object or end;
a hopeless enterprise:Her scheme of being a movie star is a wild-goose chase.
- 1585–95
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
wild-goose chase n