wildgoose

Joyce, like Stephen, was "all too Irish" -- all the more Irish because he was a "wildgoose," because he resided mainly in foreign countries after his twentieth year, seldom as long as a year in the same domicile.

James Joyce 1946

‘I was trying,’ said the provost, ‘to dissuade our young friend from his wildgoose expedition.’

Redgauntlet 2008

By wildgoose, at Tue Jan 01, 03:41:00 PM anon - in a democracy, winning power is a prerequisite to repealing anything.

Margaret Thatcher recalled Glyn Davies 2007

Moemba rallied him for coming on a wildgoose chase.

A Popular Account of Dr. Livingstone's Expedition to the Zambesi and Its Tributaries 2004

Do you not remember how eagerly he urged that no man should be spared on a wildgoose chase northward, when the immediate peril was westward?

The Lord of the Rings Tolkien, J. R. R. 1954

"Rather a wildgoose chase," grumbled the Home Secretary.

Ambrotox and Limping Dick Oliver Fleming

He was on a wildgoose chase, but still the overmastering impulse which had led him to follow Mr. Weevil held him in its grip and would not let him turn back.

The Hero of Garside School

"It seems that you are going on a wildgoose chase, just to go to Green's house, and besides, with all his friends there, you would have no chance of escape if your presence was discovered at the farm."

The Ranger Boys and the Border Smugglers Claude A. Labelle

If they thought to gain their point by sending him on wildgoose chases like this, they were greatly mistaken.

The Ne'er-Do-Well Rex Ellingwood Beach 1913

"Oh, you needn't be so innercent," she retorted with mock indignation; "-- you what led me wildgoose chasin 'in the first place!"

Pollyanna 1912