English

Noun

lost errand ‎(plural lost errands)

1. (idiomatic) a mission likely to fail
   • 1891, Charles Dickens, A Bride of a Summer's Day,

     The detective expressed his conviction that they were both on a lost errand. He was convinced that the boy would not make his appearance; although when pressed by Clive to do so, he declined to give the reasons for his conviction.

Translations

See also

• fool's errand
• snipe hunt
• wild goose chase