Dictionary

fool's errand en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

First use apppears c. the 18th century.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) A foolish undertaking, especially one that is purposeless, fruitless, nonsensical, or certain to fail.
   • 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. 1821, Sir Walter Scott, chapter 1, in Kenilworth:
   • 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. 1988 March 7, Michael S. Serrill, “Diplomacy To Dream the Impossible Dream”, in Time, archived from the original on 30 Jun 2013:
2. (idiomatic) Such an undertaking, assigned as a prank.
   • Near-synonym: wild-goose chase
   • Meronyms: blinker fluid, key to the midway, left-handed monkey wrench, muffler bearing, skyhook

Forms

Synonyms

wild-goose chase · idiot's errand · lost errand · sleeveless errand · wild-goose chase · snipe hunt

Translations (22)

ja 骨折り損 (foolish undertaking) · ja むだ足 (foolish undertaking) · he משימה אבודה מראש (foolish undertaking) · cy siwrnai f seithug (foolish undertaking) · he ברכה לבטלה (foolish undertaking) · tr abesle uğraşmak (foolish undertaking) · pl próżny wysiłek (foolish undertaking) · it compito da pazzi (foolish undertaking) · tr abesle iştigal (foolish undertaking) · it impresa folle (foolish undertaking) · he משימה שנידונה לכישלון (foolish undertaking) · es tarea de tontos (foolish undertaking) · it follia (foolish undertaking) · bg работа на вятъра (foolish undertaking) · es misión imposible (foolish undertaking) · pt caça aos gambozinos (foolish undertaking) · tr boş iş (foolish undertaking) · de vergebliche Mühe (foolish undertaking) · fi hullun homma (foolish undertaking) · de Metzgergang (foolish undertaking) · fi hullutus (foolish undertaking) · es recado de necios (foolish undertaking)