fool's errand

English

Pronunciation

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Noun

fool's errand (plural fools' errands)

1. (idiomatic) A foolish undertaking, especially one that is purposeless, fruitless, nonsensical, or certain to fail.
   • 1821, Sir Walter Scott, chapter 1, in Kenilworth:

     If I were to travel only that I might be discontented with that which I can get at home, methinks I should go but on a fool's errand.

   • 1988, Michael S. Serrill, "Diplomacy To Dream the Impossible Dream," Time, 7 Mar.,

     Shultz took little notice of the Soviet view or that of others who said his Middle East mission was a fool's errand. "You can't be too afraid of failing," said the 67-year-old diplomat.

   Synonyms: lost errand, sleaveless errand, wild-goose chase

2. (idiomatic) Such an undertaking, assigned as a prank.

   Synonym: snipe hunt

Translations

foolish undertaking

• Finnish: hullun homma, hullutus
• German: vergebliche Mühe f, Metzgergang (de) m (rare, dated)
• Hebrew: ברכה לבטלה‎ (he), משימה שנידונה לכישלון‎, משימה אבודה מראש‎

• Italian: compito da pazzi, follia (it) f, impresa folle
• Japanese: 骨折り損 (honeorizon), むだ足 (mudaashi)
• Polish: próżny wysiłek m
• Spanish: misión imposible f, tarea de tontos f

foolish undertaking assigned as a prank

• French: chasse au dahu (fr) f, chasse à la piterne f

• Hebrew: מרדף סרק‎, מרדף שווא‎, שליחות סרק‎, שליחות שווא‎, רדיפה אחרי הרוח‎

See also

• key to the midway
• wild-goose chase