chase the dragon

The phrase "chase the dragon" is used both literally in drug culture and metaphorically to describe the pursuit of an elusive goal.

Definition

C1Drug Culture

(slang)To inhale vapor from heated drugs like heroin or opium placed on foil.

Example

  • He was caught chasing the dragon in an abandoned building.

C1General

(idiomatic)To pursue an unattainable or elusive goal, often related to addiction.

Example

  • Many addicts spend their lives chasing the dragon, seeking the high they once felt.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "chase the dragon":

green dragonfeed the dragonchase the acechase afterchase downflying dragontickle the dragon's taildragon's tail