chase tail

chase (one's) tail

To take action that is ineffectual and does not lead to progress. Refers to how a dog can exhaust itself by chasing its own tail. Come on, Bill, go to sleep. You're just chasing your tail at this point, but you might have a breakthrough with the research if you take a break from it. I'm trying not to chase my tail on this project, but so many components of it are just not working out. I'm chasing my tail trying to talk to a person at the cable company. I've been hold for an hour now!

See also: chase, tail

chase tail

slang To pursue or seek out sexual activity with someone. (Usually used by men to refer to women.) My brother always spends his weekends chasing tail in bars around town. A: "Getting any lately?" B: "Nah, I've been too busy with finals to chase tail." I'm not looking to chase tail anymore. I'm ready to settle down.

See also: chase, tail

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

chase (one's) tail

To exert oneself vigorously but ineffectually.

See also: chase, tail

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.