Meaning: A futile pursuit of something unattainable or pointless.
Hindi: व्यर्थ का प्रयास, निरर्थक खोज
Synonyms: futile search, pointless pursuit
Asked in: SSC CHSL 2025 T-1 · SSC CPO 2024 T-1 · SSC CHSL 2024 T-1 · SSC CPO 2022 T-1 · SSC GD 2022 T-1 · SSC CGL 2020 T-1
wild goose chase in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CPO 2024 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the phrase/idiom that will improve the underlined part of the given sentence.
After two hours of wandering in the desert, we realised we were on a wild horse race.Answer & explanation
Answer: A) wild goose chase
The correct phrase to improve the underlined part is "wild goose chase".
The sentence should read:
"After two hours of wandering in the desert, we realised we were on a wild goose chase." - SSC CHSL 2024 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
A wild goose chase
(SSC CHSL 2024 T-1 (09-July Shift 3))Answer & explanation
Answer: B) Fruitless search
Correct Answer: Fruitless search
Explanation:
The idiom "a wild goose chase" means a search or pursuit that is futile or unsuccessful.
Let’s evaluate the options:
• On a hunt – Incorrect; general term, not specific idiomatic meaning.
• Fruitless search – ✅ Correct; means an unsuccessful or pointless search.
• Fruitful search – Incorrect; means a successful search, opposite meaning.
• Ideal seeking – Incorrect; unrelated.
So, the correct meaning of a wild goose chase is fruitless search. - SSC CHSL 2025 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: A wild goose chase
Answer & explanation
Answer: B) B. A futile or hopeless pursuit
"A wild goose chase" means a foolish, hopeless, or pointless search or endeavor that is unlikely to succeed. The phrase originated from an old horse race where riders had to follow the lead horse exactly — like wild geese flying in formation. Today it describes any situation where someone wastes time chasing something unattainable. Option B — "A futile or hopeless pursuit" — is the correct meaning. It is not a fun adventure or merely a risky task.
- SSC CPO 2022 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Wild goose chaseAnswer & explanation
Answer: D) Futile search
Answer: 4 – Futile search
Solution (Correct Option – 4: Futile search):
The idiom "wild goose chase" means a hopeless or pointless pursuit — chasing after something that is very difficult or impossible to find, often wasting time and effort.
Example: Looking for my lost ring in that huge field was a wild goose chase.
Wild goose chase – व्यर्थ की तलाश या निरर्थक प्रयास
Why other options are incorrect:
To betray someone – Means to be disloyal (धोखा देना), unrelated
Working very hard for something – Involves effort, but not necessarily useless
Doing something crazy – Implies madness, but the idiom refers specifically to a useless search
Only futile search accurately matches the meaning. - SSC CGL 2020 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the following idiom.
Wild goose chaseAnswer & explanation
Answer: C) A worthless hunt or chase
Correct Answer: A worthless hunt or chase
Solution:
The idiom "Wild goose chase" means a futile or pointless pursuit, where the goal is either impossible to reach or doesn't exist at all. It refers to wasting time and effort chasing something that cannot be caught or achieved.
Other options:
• A safari to spot rare animals – literal and unrelated
• Going to watch uncommon birds – incorrect interpretation
• A long search for hidden prey – sounds close but still too literal
Difficult Words and Meanings:
wild goose chase – a pointless or hopeless search – बेकार की खोज / निरर्थक प्रयास
futile – useless or unproductive – व्यर्थ / निष्फल
pursuit – the act of chasing or seeking – पीछा / प्रयास
Examples
- “Looking for that old shop was a wild goose chase.”
wild goose chase – questions
What is the meaning of wild goose chase in Hindi?
wild goose chase means “व्यर्थ का प्रयास, निरर्थक खोज” in Hindi. In English: A futile pursuit of something unattainable or pointless.
What are the synonyms of wild goose chase?
Synonyms of wild goose chase: futile search, pointless pursuit.
Has wild goose chase been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – wild goose chase has been asked 6 times in SSC exams: SSC CHSL 2025 T-1, SSC CPO 2024 T-1, SSC CHSL 2024 T-1, SSC CPO 2022 T-1, SSC GD 2022 T-1, SSC CGL 2020 T-1.