Chase rainbows
Meaning
To pursue a goal that is impossible, impractical, or illusory, often leading to disappointment.
Origin
The visual impossibility of physically reaching a rainbow has captivated humanity for millennia, giving rise to myths like the pot of gold at its base—a treasure forever just out of grasp. This inherent elusiveness provided the perfect metaphor for any pursuit destined to fail. The phrase 'chase rainbows' developed to vividly capture this Sisyphean task: the relentless, often beautiful, but ultimately futile quest for an illusory prize that, by its very nature, can never be attained, leaving the pursuer with only the fading memory of a hopeful journey.
Examples
- She spent years trying to invent a perpetual motion machine, always chasing rainbows instead of focusing on realistic projects.
- My financial advisor warned me not to chase rainbows with get-rich-quick schemes, suggesting I stick to proven investment strategies.