snipe hunt

1. A practical joke in which the victim is sent on a hunt for a fictitious animal called a snipe. When I was in the Cub Scouts, the youngest members were always sent out on a snipe hunt by the counselors on the night of our first big campout.

2. By extension, any hunt, search, or quest for something that is fictitious, non-existent, elusive, or illusory. The president has pledged to make universal healthcare a reality, but I think he's really just on a snipe hunt.

See also: hunt, snipe

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

See also:

in on the joke
running joke
crack a joke
inside joke
lame joke
get beyond a joke
be/get/go beyond a joke
fast one
a fast one
bucket of steam

References in periodicals archive

She swears that in her 35-year career leading wildlife watching tours she's never taken anyone on a snipe hunt.

Will the real snipe please stand up? Known for its musical tail, the elusive, yet very real bird continues to be widely unknown

Roy Hansen appeared to the veterans that he'd just fallen off a turnip truck, so he was the ideal candidate for a snipe hunt. (The snipe is closely related to the jackalope, a creature which looks like a rabbit with antlers but has never been seen by human eyes, either.) The rules of play: Two of the older ballplayers hand Roy a burlap bag and position him at the bottom of a Catalina canyon.

The Cubs on Catalina: three decades of unique memories

Sniper hunt or snipe hunt? Press has a vital part to play in finding the Beltway killer, which includes the asking of tough questions

The Pack Rat

One would assume Keith is safe, because Stan wouldn't dare try to pull that snipe hunt stunt again.

Stan Mikita, the soul of the Chicago Blackhawks

Mixing in the fun of a snipe hunt with the task left me at the cleaning station, I tossed some cleaned snipe into the six-gallon bucket of brine with the venison.

The Saturday bird: snipe: the accessible bird for the Florida wingshooter

The episode is called "Madeline Pratt." According to NBC's official synopsis, "a femme fatale from Red's past sets the FBI on a snipe hunt, requiring Liz to use hidden talents."

'The Blacklist' Episode 14: 'Madeline Pratt' Spoilers and Scheduled Air Date

"That boy will never relax in a world where a snipe hunt is both a search for a marsh bird with a long bill and a good ol' American prank."

`Bizarro' world comes to life on truffle hunt

It's a bit bulky--and the small generator creates a low-pitched hum, making it unsuitable for snipe hunts and other covert operations.

Hand-crank flashlight. (hand tools and other gifts that use alternative sources of power)

词组	snipe hunt
释义	snipe hunt snipe hunt 1. A practical joke in which the victim is sent on a hunt for a fictitious animal called a snipe. When I was in the Cub Scouts, the youngest members were always sent out on a snipe hunt by the counselors on the night of our first big campout. 2. By extension, any hunt, search, or quest for something that is fictitious, non-existent, elusive, or illusory. The president has pledged to make universal healthcare a reality, but I think he's really just on a snipe hunt. See also: hunt, snipe Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. See also: in on the joke running joke crack a joke inside joke lame joke get beyond a joke be/get/go beyond a joke fast one a fast one bucket of steam References in periodicals archive She swears that in her 35-year career leading wildlife watching tours she's never taken anyone on a snipe hunt. Will the real snipe please stand up? Known for its musical tail, the elusive, yet very real bird continues to be widely unknown Roy Hansen appeared to the veterans that he'd just fallen off a turnip truck, so he was the ideal candidate for a snipe hunt. (The snipe is closely related to the jackalope, a creature which looks like a rabbit with antlers but has never been seen by human eyes, either.) The rules of play: Two of the older ballplayers hand Roy a burlap bag and position him at the bottom of a Catalina canyon. The Cubs on Catalina: three decades of unique memories Sniper hunt or snipe hunt? Press has a vital part to play in finding the Beltway killer, which includes the asking of tough questions The Pack Rat One would assume Keith is safe, because Stan wouldn't dare try to pull that snipe hunt stunt again. Stan Mikita, the soul of the Chicago Blackhawks Mixing in the fun of a snipe hunt with the task left me at the cleaning station, I tossed some cleaned snipe into the six-gallon bucket of brine with the venison. The Saturday bird: snipe: the accessible bird for the Florida wingshooter The episode is called "Madeline Pratt." According to NBC's official synopsis, "a femme fatale from Red's past sets the FBI on a snipe hunt, requiring Liz to use hidden talents." 'The Blacklist' Episode 14: 'Madeline Pratt' Spoilers and Scheduled Air Date "That boy will never relax in a world where a snipe hunt is both a search for a marsh bird with a long bill and a good ol' American prank." `Bizarro' world comes to life on truffle hunt It's a bit bulky--and the small generator creates a low-pitched hum, making it unsuitable for snipe hunts and other covert operations. Hand-crank flashlight. (hand tools and other gifts that use alternative sources of power)
随便看	give it a whirl give it/her the gun give it laldy give it large give it (one's) best shot give it one's best shot give it one's best shot, to give it some stick give it some welly give it the gun give it time give it to give it to me straight give it to (one) give it to (one) straight give it to someone give it up Give it up! give it your best shot give leg bail give lip service to (something) give/lose ground give me give me a break Give me a break!