The phrase originated from hunting wild geese, which are notoriously difficult to track and catch. Trying to hunt them is often seen as a waste of time and effort, with little chance of success.
Here are some examples of how the phrase is used:
* "Searching for the lost treasure was a wild goose chase - it was just a legend."
* "Trying to find a parking spot downtown during rush hour is a wild goose chase."
* "The detectives spent weeks on a wild goose chase, following false leads and getting nowhere."
The phrase emphasizes the futility and pointlessness of the endeavor. It suggests that the pursuit is based on a false hope or a misunderstanding of reality.