chase moonbeams

present singular third person chases moonbeams · participle present chasing moonbeams · participle past chased moonbeams · past chased moonbeams

1. To waste time in a fruitless attempt.

   Oh, you can scoff, Mr White, but you siblings that thirst for glory chase moonbeams.

   2021, Richard Woodman, A King's Cutter, page 27

   3 more examples

   The Guardian's housing specialist was outraged by Tom's conviction that the city was chasing moonbeams in applying for compulsory purchase orders to build two little Manchesters in Mobberley and Lymm.

   2009, Harold Evans, My Paper Chase: True Stories of Vanished Times: An Autobiography

   Then for many others it's become a chase around the block looking for miracles that are never there. Here, there and everywhere they search, chasing moonbeams and ending up disillusioned.

   2010, Raymond Arroyo Jr., Lead Us Not into Temptation

   Ah, Luna! you may hide your face; And, Doctor, you're a hopeless case, If you allow yourself to chase The silly moonbeams without discretion. Better go and attend to your profession.

   2023, Charles Billingslea, The Addison Reunion Papers, page 216