chase a rainbow

Meaning: To pursue something that is impossible or unrealistic to attain.

Language: English

Literally: (Already vivid in English)

Category: Nature

Origin: The image of chasing a rainbow, which recedes as you approach it and can never be caught or reached.

More idioms — Nature

on eternal patrol — Lost or missing at sea, presumed dead.
stars align — Circumstances or events combine in a fortunate way, often unexpectedly or after a long pe…
plow the sands — To expend great effort on something completely futile or worthless.
Lord willing and the creek don't rise — Used to express contingency on circumstances beyond one's control, especially minor natur…
stumbling block — An obstacle or barrier that impedes progress or causes difficulty.
réduire la voilure — To cut back on spending, resources, or ambitions.

rock the boat — To disrupt the status quo or challenge established conventions and rules.
body English — Subtle body movements a person makes to coax a moving object toward a desired direction,…
above the salt — Of high social rank, importance, or honor.
break the bank — To win or spend so much money that a casino or financial institution loses its entire ava…
break the mold — To abandon convention and do something radically new or different.
hoist by one's own petard — To be harmed or destroyed by one's own trap or scheme meant to injure someone else.

Keeping from falling is better than helping up. — Prevention of harm requires less effort and causes less suffering than recovery from it.
Under water famine, under snow bread. — Hidden abundance often lies beneath apparent scarcity; adversity conceals resources invis…
A famine in England begins at the horse-manger. — Poor grain management for livestock presages broader scarcity throughout the land.