fool's errand
noun
: a needless or profitless endeavor
"No, no. You forced me into visiting him last year, and promised, if I went to see him, he should marry one of my daughters. But it ended in nothing, and I will not be sent on a fool's errand again."—
Jane Austen
Jane AustenPredicting what will happen with China is a fool's errand. China is the exception that proves so many rules wrong.—John Feffer
John FefferWhile trying to change European opinion of America is not exactly a fool's errand, neither should we expect much from the effort.—James W. Ceaser
James W. CeaserExamples of fool's errand in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Relying on our politicians having any sense of morality is, clearly, a fool's errand.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024
That won't solve all this team's problems, but if this team continues to find itself in close games every week, better field-goal kicking could prove pivotal.
Texans vs. Jets Prediction
Predicting what the Jets will do next is a fool's errand.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
The presence of an electric Equinox where competitors offer hybrids that still burn some gasoline makes comparing for the most efficient models a fool's errand.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 17 Oct. 2024
The Iraq war proved that trying to install new regimes in Arab countries is a fool's errand; defending existing regimes facing internal rebellion will be no easier.
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2013
Making predictions before prospects even begin their final seasons, then, is inherently a fool's errand.
—Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2023
Drawing grand conclusions from 13 games is a fool's errand, especially with this team.
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 13 Apr. 2023
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024
That won't solve all this team's problems, but if this team continues to find itself in close games every week, better field-goal kicking could prove pivotal.
Texans vs. Jets Prediction
Predicting what the Jets will do next is a fool's errand.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
The presence of an electric Equinox where competitors offer hybrids that still burn some gasoline makes comparing for the most efficient models a fool's errand.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 17 Oct. 2024
The Iraq war proved that trying to install new regimes in Arab countries is a fool's errand; defending existing regimes facing internal rebellion will be no easier.
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2013
Making predictions before prospects even begin their final seasons, then, is inherently a fool's errand.
—Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2023
Drawing grand conclusions from 13 games is a fool's errand, especially with this team.
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 13 Apr. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near fool's errand
Cite this Entry
“Fool's errand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fool%27s%20errand. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.
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