pursue a quixotic scheme

verb phrase

1. to try to carry out an ambitious, idealistic plan that is unlikely to succeed because it is impractical; "quixotic" suggests foolishly romantic optimism, originally from Don Quixote

   C1

   pursue is transitive; followed by a noun phrase such as "scheme" or "plan"formal, literary

   • "He wants to build a castle in the desert, but he is pursuing a quixotic scheme."B2
   • "The committee pursued a quixotic scheme to turn the abandoned factory into an opera house."C1
   • "They pursued a quixotic scheme to build a school on the remote island."B2
   • "Despite repeated warnings about the cost, she pursued a quixotic scheme to transform the failing company into a global leader."C1