Learn how to use the phrase "wild goose chase”.
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Episode Script:

“Are you taking me a wild goose chase?”

Welcome to “ESL with Josh” - a podcast that will help you to speak more like a native English speaker. In this episode, we will consider the phrase “wild goose chase” - what does it mean and how do we use it?

“Wild goose chase” is an idiom, which means that this phrase has a meaning unrelated to the words found in it.
”Wild goose chase” does NOT refer to running after birds.
”Wild goose chase” does NOT have anything to do with a goose.

“Wild goose chase” DOES refer to a hopeless search for something that is impossible to find.

Originally, this phrase appears to refer to a certain type of horse race where the horses end up in a V-formation, similar to how birds fly in a v-formation. A notable example of this meaning of the phrase shows up in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Since then, the idiom began to refer to a hopeless quest, such as chasing after a goose, which is an extremely difficult challenge. Imagine running after a goose that changes directions and speeds often. It would look quite wild, and you would likely not succeed.

So, today the idiom refers to any quest or search for something that is impossible to find.

Here are a few examples:

• The robber fled the scene quickly, and now the police are on a wild goose chase to track him down.
• Apparently my brother had the car keys. I was on a wild goose chase around the whole house trying to find them.
• Trying to find an affordable apartment these days is a wild goose chase.
• Let’s make sure he knows where the pharmacy is so he doesn’t spend his whole day on a wild goose chase.

Now it is time to take a quiz.

Which of the following sentences use the idiom correctly?

1. Did you see the wild goose chasing the dog around the yard?
2. We all set out on a wild goose chase to find the dog who got out of the fence and ran away.
3. My mom is looking everywhere for her earrings. Personally I think it is a crazy goose chase.
4. There are coffee shops everywhere, but finding coffee that is actually good is a wild goose chase.

What do you think?
The correct sentences are numbers 2 and 4.

Now it’s time for the Joke of the DayWhy do geese fly south in the winter?
It is too far to walk.

Thanks for listening!

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