chase moonbeams

chase moonbeams (third-person singular simple present chases moonbeams, present participle chasing moonbeams, simple past and past participle chased moonbeams)

1. To waste time in a fruitless attempt.
   • 2009, Harold Evans, My Paper Chase: True Stories of Vanished Times: An Autobiography:

     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.

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

     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.

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

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

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

     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.