a will o' the wisp

listen to the pronunciation of a will o' the wisp
English - English
jack-o'-lantern
ignis fatuus

Fiery spirits or devils are such as commonly work by blazing stars, fire-drakes, or ignes fatui; which lead men often in flumina aut præcipitia, saith Bodine .

hinkypunk
will o' the wisp
A strange light that attracts travellers from pathways into dangerous marshes or graveyards
will o' the wisp
A delusional or otherwise unobtainable goal that one feels compelled to pursue
will o' the wisp
{i} something delusive or misleading; ignis fatuus, phosphorous light which hovers over the ground in marshy areas