Idioms

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

chase your (own) tail

keep on doing something futile. informal
See also: chase, tail
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

chase your (own) ˈtail

be very busy but in fact achieve very little: In my first month at college I was continually chasing my own tail and being late for everything. ▶ ˈtail-chasing noun
If a dog or cat chases its tail, it runs round in circles trying to bite its own tail.
See also: chase, tail
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in periodicals archive
The frozen yoghurt treats come in three flavours; Panting Peanut Mutter, Oaty Pawfection and Chase Your Tail Cheesecake.
Dog ice cream takes some licking in first trials
The frozen yoghurt, developed by pet nutritionists at pet food company Wagg Foods, based in Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, come in three flavours-Panting Peanut Mutter, Oaty Pawfection and Chase Your Tail Cheesecake.
Now, a new range of ice cream for your pooches
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