wild goose chase徒勞之舉,白費氣力的追逐這個習語最早出自莎翁名著《羅密歐與朱麗葉》,直到19世紀才演變成「徒勞」之意。由於野雁很容易受到驚嚇,想追逐的話,到頭來可能只能眼睜睜看著它們飛走,所以wild goose chase就被用來形容「白忙一場」。
看看老外聊天時怎麼用wild goose chase:
Lynn: Here's my proposal for selling our new product to teenagers.
Ben: But it's designed for adults. I'm afraid you' ve been on a wild goose chase.
Lynn: Not necessarily. Over 10 percent of our buyers are under 18.
Ben: Why would they want to use it?
Lynn: It's probably because a lot of them can't wait to grow up.
琳恩:這是我的企劃,內容是關於如何把新產品賣給青少年的。
本:但那個產品是針對成年人設計的,你可能會白忙一場。
琳恩:未必,我們的購買者當中超過10%未滿18歲。本:他們怎麼會想要用這個產品呢?
琳恩:可能是因為他們等不及想長大吧。
wild goose chase例句精選:
The reporter was sent on a wild goose chase, for the monster he was to investigate had never really existed.
記者被派了去作徒勞無益的調查,因為他要查詢的怪物根本不存在。
Harry wondered if Potts had deliberately sent him on a wild goose chase.
哈裡疑心波茨故意讓他白費力氣地瞎找一通。
拓展學習:
vain 徒然的
pursue 追求
loutcome 結果;結局
fruitfule 收穫豐富的會
fool's errand 白費力氣的奔波
doom and gloom 沒有希望
false trail 錯誤的方向