a quixotic quest

noun phrase

1. an unrealistic, idealistic plan or search that is very likely to fail, especially one pursued with enthusiastic determination; often used humorously or critically, with reference to Don Quixote

   C2

   countableliterary/formal

   • "Trying to convince the whole town to give up cars felt like a quixotic quest."B2
   • "The project began as a quixotic quest to map every dialect in the region."C1
   • "His quixotic quest for perfect justice left him isolated and exhausted."C2
   • "He began a quixotic quest to end poverty in the town."B2
   • "Her quixotic quest to persuade every nation to abandon nuclear weapons won admiration, though few believed it could succeed."C1