snipe hunt
A "snipe hunt" is a classic prank often played on newcomers, involving a futile search for a nonexistent item or creature.
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Definition
B2General
(informal, idiomatic)A practical joke where someone is sent on a pointless search for something that doesn't exist.
Example
- They tricked him into a snipe hunt, sending him to find a creature that wasn't real.
- The camp counselors organized a snipe hunt to prank the new campers.
C1Figurative
(idiomatic)A futile or hopeless pursuit, similar to a wild goose chase.
Example
- Trying to find a solution in that mess was like going on a snipe hunt.
- His search for the perfect job felt like a snipe hunt, leading nowhere.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "snipe hunt":