chasing rainbows

chase rainbows

To constantly pursue things that are unrealistic or unlikely to happen. You can't chase rainbows your whole life—you need to pick a stable career and start being an adult.
See also: chase, rainbow

chasing rainbows

Constantly pursuing things that are unrealistic or unlikely to happen. You can't always be chasing rainbows your whole life—you need to pick a stable career and start being an adult.
See also: chase, rainbow
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

chasing rainbows

Pursuing illusionary goals, trying to achieve impossible things. The term comes from the old tale about finding a crock of gold if one digs at the end of the rainbow, where it touches earth. The idea of chasing rainbows as equivalent to a fruitless quest was expressed in the nineteenth century; those who did so were called “rainbow chasers.” A popular song, “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows,” with words by Joseph McCarthy and music by Harry Carroll (based on Chopin’s C-sharp minor Fantasy Impromptu), was published in 1918. It was used in several motion pictures, among them Ziegfeld Girl, with Judy Garland, and was revived with considerable success in 1946.
See also: chase, rainbow
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • chase rainbows
  • be chasing rainbows
  • rainbow
  • always chasing rainbows
  • be in a dream world
  • (one) only has one pair of hands
  • (one's) only got one pair of hands
  • someone's only got one pair of hands
  • I only have one pair of hands
  • I've only got one pair of hands
References in periodicals archive
Chasing Rainbows sheds new light on the subject and works as a guide for parents interested in adopting the practice.
Chasing Rainbows: Exploring Gender Fluid Parenting Practices
Chasing Rainbows is available from Amazon and other online bookstores priced PS6.99.
Blind woman writes book on struggle; Philippa used talking laptop and iPhone
Shed Seven singer Rick Whitter, the man behind classic chart hits such as Disco Down, Chasing Rainbows and Going For Gold, will be behind the decks to DJ on the night.
Back to the 90s
I'm not chasing rainbows or fantasies," he told the reporter.
Man who plans to impregnate 2,500 women branded 'dangerous'; 'Joe Donor' offers his sperm to women for artificial use at no cost other than reimbursement of his expenses
With singles like Going For Gold, Chasing Rainbows, Getting Better and Speakeasy, The Sheds enjoyed a purple patch in the 1990s, racking up 14 top 40 hits and building a reputation as one of the best live acts in the UK.
SHED SEVEN
"I don't want to start chasing rainbows by telling them to cheat.
CHEATS & CONMEN; RUGBY: RBS 6 NATIONS SPECIAL ... R In the aftermath of Saturday's Murrayfield mayhem coach JOHNSON launches astonishing attack on Wales and vows Scots would never resor t to their tactics
Coming back for an excellent encore, including a cover of The Smith's Panic, they rounded off on a high, with what else but the rousing Chasing Rainbows.
Getting better all the time
PWLLHELI: Neuadd Dwyfor (01758 704088), Hijinx Theatre presents Chasing Rainbows..
Entertainment guide for the week ahead
With singer Rachel Cohen in fine form and in teasing mood, The Reasoning then played the beautiful Chasing Rainbows before carrying on with the fabulous Aching Hunger and the lyrically excellent Breaking The 4th Wall.
Plenty of reasons to be cheerful; REVIEW
Catalans, Wigan, Bradford and Warrington are all chasing rainbows.
Rugby League: Refreshed Rhinos are ready to charge towards the title; WIGAN v BRADFORD SUPER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS SKY SPORTS 2 8pm
Shed Seven will be delving into their extensive back catalogue, including the classics Going for Gold, Chasing Rainbows and Getting Better.
Festival's 10-hour feast of music
There are 41 songs in all, incorporating every pop taste, with artists like Take That (Rule The World), Amy Winehouse (Valerie), Nelly Furtado (Say It Right), The Feeling (Sewn), Cranberries (Dream), Oasis (Stand By Me), Stereophonics (Dakota), Mika (Happy Ending), Amy McDonald (Mr Rock & Roll), Travis (Sing), Killers (Somebody Told Me), Ian Brown (Fear), Shed 7 (Chasing Rainbows) and Elton John (Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me).
WIN Essential Songs compilation CD; essential songs
That good-natured early exchange set the tone for the evening as the Sheds rattled through hit after hit including Going for Gold, Getting Better, On Standby, a great cover of Who classic The Seeker and left us with their finest moment, Chasing Rainbows, ringing in our ears.
Living: SHEDS ARE BACK; SHED SEVEN: Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
Getting Better and the title track, both from second album A Maximum High are slabs of high-octane guitar rock while Chasing Rainbows and new cut High Hopes reveal a mellower, more lyrical, side to the band.
TSM: POP CD OF THE WEEK
Her mellow "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" for "Rose of Washington Square" is still delicious, but it was dropped.
Hidden Hollywood: Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Film Vaults