fool's errand

English

Pronunciation

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Noun

fool 's errand (plural fools' errands)

(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
(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)
Spanish: missión inútil f, tarea de tontos f

foolish undertaking assigned as a prank

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

See also

key to the midway

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