# thrill of the hunt

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/thrill-of-the-hunt
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The anticipation and excitement experienced while searching for something that is difficult to obtain.

## Examples

- He loves the thrill of the hunt when shopping for antiques.
- She spent all weekend searching for a rare book, enjoying the thrill of the hunt more than the book itself.
- The seasoned collector often ignored the final acquisition, finding that the true thrill of the hunt lay in the arduous pursuit of the elusive object.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.