chasing rainbows

USAGE SUMMARY

'chasing rainbows' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is often used to refer to an unrealistic pursuit such as a hopeless dream or an unattainable goal. For example, "She spent her life chasing rainbows, never able to achieve her ideal outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"I'm still chasing rainbows," he says, by way of explaining his open-ended quest to discover exactly how delicious a whisky can be.

The New Yorker

The play opens with a popular song of the 1930s, I'm Always Chasing Rainbows, stolen, as Halder swiftly reminds us, from Chopin.

The Guardian

Whether the idiom is hard bop ("The Turnaround"), Brazilian bossa nova (several Jobim numbers) or classically inflected pop ("I'm Always Chasing Rainbows") she approaches it head-on, with a clear-eyed awareness of the stylistic balance she wants to strike.

The New York Times - Arts

We would do a day of pursuing rainbow trout and grayling on the Susitna (the Big Su) and then a day chasing rainbows and Dolly Vardens on the Talkeetna, which flows into the Susitna.

The New York Times - Sports

Paradoxically, Mr. Como arrived in the big time (in the 1940's) singing what Mr. Friedwald called "heavy Chopinesque numbers" like "Till the End of Time" and "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows".

The New York Times

Paradoxically, Perry Como arrived in the big time (in the 1940's) singing what Mr. Friedwald calls "heavy Chopinesque numbers" like "Till the End of Time" and "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Then running back to my driver, straddling the motorbike, and chasing the rainbow again".

The New Yorker

Perhaps in their case it would have been worth chasing that rainbow.

The Guardian - Travel

But then he goes on to describe the Iraq war as "chasing that rainbow".

The New York Times

But sometimes the necessary is impossible — and we just can't keep chasing that rainbow this way.

The New York Times

"Why bother chasing the rainbow?" The next day we discovered the real joy of the island, following the circular road on hotel bikes.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chasing rainbows" to caution against investing time and resources into goals that are unlikely to be achieved. For example, "Investing in that unproven technology is like "chasing rainbows"."

Common error

Avoid using "chasing rainbows" in literal contexts related to weather or visual phenomena. The phrase specifically refers to pursuing illusory or unattainable goals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chasing rainbows" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used idiomatically. It describes the act of pursuing something that is ultimately unattainable or illusory. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showcasing its prevalence in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Reference

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "chasing rainbows" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that describes the pursuit of something unattainable or illusory. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, indicating its relevance in discussing various societal and personal pursuits. While the phrase itself is versatile, it is important to use it in its intended idiomatic sense, avoiding literal interpretations. When you want to convey skepticism or caution against unrealistic goals, "chasing rainbows" is a fitting expression. Alternatives like "pursuing illusions" and "following a pipe dream" can provide subtle nuances depending on the specific context. Overall, "chasing rainbows" remains a vivid and widely understood way to describe the futility of pursuing the impossible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following a pipe dream

Highlights the unrealistic or fanciful nature of the dream or goal.

pursuing illusions

Focuses on the deceptive nature of the pursuit, rather than the futility.

hunting for unicorns

Suggests searching for something mythical or nonexistent.

aiming for the impossible

Emphasizes the unattainable nature of the goal itself.

seeking a fool's errand

Emphasizes the pointless and unproductive nature of the task.

grasping at straws

Highlights the desperation and lack of viable options in the pursuit.

striving for utopia

Focuses on the pursuit of an ideal state that is inherently unattainable.

searching for El Dorado

Refers to the pursuit of a legendary place of wealth and prosperity that is likely nonexistent.

barking up the wrong tree

Suggests that the effort is misdirected towards something unproductive.

tilting at windmills

Implies that the struggle is against imaginary or insignificant obstacles.

FAQs

What does the idiom "chasing rainbows" mean?

The idiom "chasing rainbows" means pursuing something unattainable or illusory. It often implies a futile effort in pursuit of a dream that is unlikely to materialize.

How can I use "chasing rainbows" in a sentence?

You can use "chasing rainbows" to describe someone pursuing unrealistic goals. For example, "He's been "chasing rainbows" his whole life, never finding lasting success."

What are some alternatives to saying "chasing rainbows"?

Alternatives to "chasing rainbows" include "pursuing illusions", "following a pipe dream", or "aiming for the impossible". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of pursuing something unattainable.

Is "chasing rainbows" grammatically correct?

Yes, "chasing rainbows" is grammatically correct as an idiomatic expression. The phrase is commonly used and well-understood in English.