fool's errand

fool's errand
a) A 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 fools errand.

b) Such an undertaking, assigned as a prank.

Shultz took little notice of the Soviet view or that of others who said his Middle East mission was a fools errand. "You cant be too afraid of failing," said the 67-year-old diplomat.


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  • Fool's errand — Fool Fool, n. [OE. fol, n. & adj., F. fol, fou, foolish, mad; a fool, prob. fr. L. follis a bellows, wind bag, an inflated ball; perh. akin to E. bellows. Cf. {Folly}, {Follicle}.] 1. One destitute of reason, or of the common powers of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fool's errand — n. a foolish, fruitless task or undertaking …   English World dictionary

  • fool's errand — noun a fruitless mission • Hypernyms: ↑mission, ↑charge, ↑commission * * * ˌfool s ˈerrand f7 [fool s errand fool s errands] noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • Fool's errand — A fool s errand may mean:*Fool s Errand (novel) * The Fool s Errand , a computer gameee also*Snipe hunt …   Wikipedia

  • fool's errand — /ˈfulz ɛrənd/ (say foohlz eruhnd) noun 1. an absurd or useless errand: *Life was a fool s errand, carrying news to the worms. –kylie tennant, 1946. –phrase 2. send on a fool s errand , to cause someone to become involved in something that is a… …  

  • fool's errand —    If you go on a fool s errand, you try to do something which is useless, unnecessary or has no chance of success.     I realized it was a fool s errand to look for a bank in such an isolated region …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • Fool's Errand (novel) — Fool s Errand is a book by Robin Hobb, the first in her Tawny Man Trilogy. It commences 15 years after the events in Assassin s Quest, a period covered by The Liveship Traders Trilogy (Ship of Magic, The Mad Ship, Ship of Destiny); it resumes the …   Wikipedia

  • fool's errand — fool s′ er′rand n. a completely absurd, pointless, or useless errand …   From formal English to slang

  • Fool's errand (disambiguation) — A fool s errand can mean:*Fool s Errand (novel) *Snipe hunt, an impossible task *The Fool s Errand computer game …   Wikipedia

  • fool's errand — a completely absurd, pointless, or useless errand. * * * …   Universalium

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