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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Chase rainbows

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To pursue hopes or goals that cannot realistically be achieved.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. The mentor felt we were chasing rainbows by waiting for a perfect opportunity with no drawbacks.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

To pursue hopes or goals that cannot realistically be achieved.
Show the answer

Chase rainbows — To pursue hopes or goals that cannot realistically be achieved.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Chase rainbows” about your own life.

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

To pursue hopes or goals that cannot realistically be achieved.

Compare: The mentor felt we were chasing rainbows by waiting for a perfect opportunity with no drawbacks.

Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

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GO DEEPER

More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use it critically when you think someone is spending effort on an unattainable goal. It can sound discouraging, so distinguish an impossible wish from a difficult but realistic ambition.

More examples in context

  • He wondered whether he was chasing rainbows with his demand for an entirely effortless course.
  • “You are chasing rainbows,” she said when I asked for a plan that would solve every problem at once.

Usage note

It is not simply another way to say follow a worthwhile dream. The speaker is judging the aim as unattainable or unrealistic.

A short conversation

A: I want a job with no difficult days, no routine tasks and unlimited freedom.
B: Are you chasing rainbows? Every role will involve some compromises.
A: Perhaps I should decide which conditions matter most.

One more practice question

What does calling a goal “chasing rainbows” imply?

A. The speaker thinks the goal is unrealistic or unattainable.
B. The speaker is certain the goal is straightforward and guaranteed.

Check your answer

A. The idiom criticises effort spent pursuing an impossible wish.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Collins Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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