chase one's tail

Definitions

1. 1

   To busily try to perform many tasks or to repeatedly revise one's plans, especially with…

   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.

   • 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."
   • "You're forever chasing your tail when you're dealing with such large areas. . . . It was difficult to see how we would ever get on top of the problem."
   • The phone rings pretty much immediately and I have a conversation, usually apologising for something or explaining why I haven't managed to do something. I'm always chasing my tail.

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