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.
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.
See also: chase, tail
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
chase (one's) tail
To exert oneself vigorously but ineffectually.
See also: chase, tail
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- chase (one's) tail
- chase your tail
- be chasing (one's) (own) tail
- be chasing tail
- be chasing your tail
- nip on (someone's or something's) heels
- nip on (someone's or something's) toes
- dud
- duds
- boat anchor