Chase rainbows: Meaning and Examples

Updated 2026-10-03 · Idiom Meanings editorial team

Quick answer: To chase rainbows means to pursue something that is impossible or highly unlikely to be achieved. People use this phrase to describe efforts spent on fantasies rather than practical, attainable objectives. It highlights the futility of aiming for illusions instead of reality.

What Does "chase rainbows" Mean?

The idiom chase rainbows refers to the act of trying to achieve a goal that is fundamentally unattainable. It suggests that the objective is as elusive as a rainbow, which appears visible but cannot be touched or captured when you move toward it.

This expression often carries a tone of gentle criticism or warning. It describes the frustration and wasted energy that comes from focusing on daydreams instead of grounding your efforts in what is actually possible and within your reach.

How People Use It Today

Modern speakers typically use this phrase to advise friends or colleagues to reconsider their strategies. It appears in conversations about business plans that lack a realistic foundation or personal projects that rely on luck rather than skill. The focus remains on steering attention back to tangible results.

Example Sentences

She spent years chasing rainbows instead of saving for a down payment on a home.
Trying to find a cure for that mythical ailment was just chasing rainbows.
His business plan was so vague that investors felt he was chasing rainbows.
Stop chasing rainbows and focus on the tasks you can actually complete today.
The journalist accused the politician of chasing rainbows with his empty promises.
We need a realistic timeline, not a dream of chasing rainbows without a map.
He realized too late that chasing rainbows had cost him valuable professional time.
Don't chase rainbows; look for opportunities that offer concrete benefits.
Her art project was beautiful, but selling it online was chasing rainbows.
Chasing rainbows leads to disappointment when you expect solid outcomes.

Idioms With a Similar Meaning

Build castles in the air: This focuses more on creating elaborate, impractical plans in your mind rather than the active pursuit of them.
Shoot for the moon: This implies aiming high with ambition, whereas chasing rainbows implies the goal is impossible from the start.
Bite off more than you can chew: This refers to taking on too much responsibility, not necessarily pursuing an illusion that does not exist.
Dream on: This is a dismissive command telling someone to stop fantasizing, rather than describing the action of pursuit itself.
Look for a needle in a haystack: This describes a task that is extremely difficult but still possible, unlike an inherently impossible goal.
Fool's gold: This refers to something that appears valuable but is worthless, rather than the action of pursuing it.

Opposite or Contrasting Phrases

Keep your feet on the ground: This advises staying practical and realistic, directly countering the impractical nature of chasing rainbows.
Hit the nail on the head: This means addressing a problem accurately and effectively, unlike missing the mark with impossible goals.
Down-to-earth: This describes a person who is realistic and sensible, the opposite of someone who pursues illusions.
Practical approach: This focuses on methods that are sensible and likely to succeed, avoiding futile efforts.

When to Use It and When Not To

Use this idiom in casual conversation, creative writing, or informal business critiques. It works well when you want to gently point out that a plan lacks feasibility or when describing a character's futile quest in a story. The colorful imagery helps convey the sense of hopelessness clearly.

Avoid using it in strict academic or legal documents where precise language is required. It can sound dismissive or overly metaphorical in serious reports. Stick to direct descriptions of impossibility or lack of data when writing for formal audiences who prefer literal clarity.

Example Dialogues

I plan to quit my job and travel the world without a budget.

That sounds like chasing rainbows; you need a financial plan first.

Why are we still discussing ideas that have no market demand?

We are chasing rainbows. Let us focus on products people actually want.

He promised to fix the economy in a week.

Do not chase rainbows. Real economic change takes years of steady work.

I am looking for a quick solution to this complex code error.

Stop chasing rainbows. You need to debug the system line by line.

Should we invest in that unproven technology startup?

It feels like chasing rainbows. I prefer investments with proven track records.

More Example Sentences

The committee decided the proposal was chasing rainbows and voted it down.
Trying to achieve perfection in every small detail is just chasing rainbows.
His search for the perfect job led to months of chasing rainbows.
We must avoid chasing rainbows and stick to our core business goals.
Her obsession with finding a miracle cure was a form of chasing rainbows.
The coach warned the team not to chase rainbows during the final minutes.
Building a business on rumors is a dangerous way to chase rainbows.
Instead of chasing rainbows, he started a small garden and saw real results.

In Formal Writing, Say This Instead

Pursuing unattainable objectives: The board concluded that pursuing unattainable objectives would drain company resources.
Seeking illusory gains: Investors are advised against seeking illusory gains in volatile markets.
Engaging in futile endeavors: Management decided to stop engaging in futile endeavors and refocus on core products.
Chasing unrealistic expectations: The project failed because the team was chasing unrealistic expectations regarding the timeline.
Pursuing ephemeral outcomes: The study highlights the risks of pursuing ephemeral outcomes in scientific research.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is chasing rainbows always negative?

It usually carries a negative connotation because it implies wasted effort on impossible goals. However, in creative contexts, it might describe a romantic or poetic pursuit of something beautiful but unattainable.

Can I use this in professional emails?

It is best avoided in formal professional correspondence. Use clearer terms like unrealistic expectations or unattainable targets to maintain a serious and precise tone in business communications.

What is the difference between dreaming and chasing rainbows?

Dreaming is a neutral mental activity, while chasing rainbows implies active effort toward an impossible end. The idiom specifically criticizes the action of pursuing an illusion.

Are there other phrases for impossible goals?

Yes, you can use phrases like grasping at straws or searching for a unicorn. These alternatives also convey the idea of seeking something that is extremely difficult or impossible to find.