What does the idiom on a wild goose chase mean?

What does the idiom on a wild goose chase mean?

noun. 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.

Where did the idiom go on a wild goose chase come from?

The idiom wild goose chase was first written down by William Shakespeare, in the play Romeo and Juliet in 1595: “Nay, if thy wits run the wild-goose chase, I have done, for thou hast more of the wild-goose in one of thy wits than, I am sure, I have in my whole five.” Interestingly, the term wild goose chase was first …

What is an example of a wild goose chase?

The convict escaped the police custody on the way to jail. Police is apparently on a wild goose chase after he vanished into woods. I had been on a wild goose chase this whole morning searching them in the entire house. Jonathan looking for his lost phone may be on a wild goose chase.

How do you use wild goose chase in a sentence?

the fruitless pursuit of something unattainable.

1. No, he led me on a wild-goose chase.
2. We wasted all day a wild-goose chase.
3. Some government officials sent reporters a wild-goose chase.
4. It turned out to be a wild-goose chase.
5. Some government officials sent reporters on a wild-goose chase.
6. Hah!
7. She feels what Mr.

What part of speech is wild goose chase?

noun

What is the meaning of the idiom to end in smoke?

to come to nothing

What is the meaning of the idiom cry wolf?

cry wolf ​Definitions and Synonyms phrase. DEFINITIONS1. to keep saying that there is a problem when there is not, with the result that people do not believe you when there really is a problem.

What does the idiom egg him on mean?

Meaning: To urge someone to do something that is usually negative. Example: His friends kept egging him on, but Daniel refused to steal the watch.

What is it called when someone eggs you on?

(phrasal verb) in the sense of incite. Definition. to encourage (someone) to do something foolish or daring.

What does sweet as a nut mean?

Sweet as a nut (often shortened to sweet as, or sweet, said in the same way you might say cool or wicked) is a simile of working class origin, most notably in London and way up North in Newcastle, and one which simply means I am content with the way things have turned out.

What does the phrase clear as a bell mean?

Pure as the sound of a bell; also, readily understood. For example, Did you understand the message I left you? —Yes, clear as a bell. This simile, which alludes to the bell’s clarity owing to lack of overtones, was already a proverb in John Ray’s English Proverbs (1670).

What does sweet as mean?

Adjective. sweet as (not comparable) (New Zealand, Britain, slang) Wonderful, extremely good.

What is a sweet person like?

The characteristics of a sweet person is someone who cares for others. Who helps others and talks to people when they need help. Someone who will lend a helping hand to those who are at a disadvantage. Those who lead with their heart and also their head.

What does Oi mean in New Zealand?

nounWord forms: plural oi. New Zealand another name for grey-faced petrel.