# whack a mole

idiom · CEFR C1 · Informal

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/whack-a-mole
Updated: 2026-09-28

## Meaning

A situation where a problem keeps recurring or new problems appear as soon as one is solved, making the task feel endless and frustrating.

## Examples

- Trying to delete these spam emails is like playing whack a mole because they just keep coming back.
- The IT department is exhausted from playing whack a mole with the various software bugs that emerged after the latest system update.
- Regulatory bodies often find themselves in a game of whack a mole as they attempt to close tax loopholes that are immediately replaced by new, more sophisticated financial instruments.

## Origin

The expression comes from an arcade game called Whac-A-Mole, first produced by Creative Engineering, Inc. in 1976. In the game, players use a mallet to hit mechanical moles that pop up randomly from holes. As soon as the player hits one mole, others appear elsewhere, creating a repetitive and frantic cycle that serves as a metaphor for modern task management and troubleshooting.

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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.