fool's errand

plural fools' errands

1. idiomaticA 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

   1 more example

   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

   Synonyms: idiot's errand, lost errand, sleeveless errand, wild-goose chase

2. idiomaticSuch an undertaking, assigned as a prank.

   Near-synonym: wild-goose chase

   1 more example

   Meronyms: blinker fluid, key to the midway, left-handed monkey wrench, muffler bearing, skyhook

   Synonyms: snipe hunt, wild-goose chase