chase one's tail

动词 v.
中文释义

英文释义

动词 v.
  1. To busily try to perform many tasks or to repeatedly revise one's plans, especially with inefficient use of one's time and limited results. idiomatic
    — People wanting to get married . . . would have to trail around separately to arrange flowers, cars, a photographer, the cake and a reception venue. . . . "At the moment, they have to chase their tail making sure all these things are done."
  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see chase, one's, tail.

词形变化

chases one's tail present,singular,third-person chasing one's tail participle,present chased one's tail participle,past chased one's tail past

词源

From obsessive behavior observed in some dogs. The figurative sense refers to the frenzied activity without any useful purpose inherent in this behavior
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