Correct Answer:
C. A useless effort
This question requires you to identify the meaning of the idiom “A wild-goose chase.” Idioms are phrases where the meaning cannot be understood from the literal definitions of the individual words.
- Correct Answer (C: A useless effort): “A wild-goose chase” refers to a foolish, hopeless, or futile pursuit of something unattainable or a search that is bound to fail. The image evokes the difficulty and unlikelihood of successfully catching a wild goose, symbolizing an unproductive endeavor.
- Incorrect Distractors:
- (A: A fruitful chase): This is the opposite of the idiom’s meaning. A “fruitful chase” would imply a successful or productive effort, whereas a wild-goose chase is inherently unproductive.
- (B: To run like a goose): This is a literal interpretation of part of the idiom. Idioms rarely mean exactly what their words suggest; their meaning is figurative.
- (D: To run wildly): While a chase might involve running wildly, this option only describes a manner of running and misses the core idiomatic meaning of the *futility* or *pointlessness* of the effort.