paper chase

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pa′per chase′, 

1. the effort to earn a diploma or college degree, esp. in law, or a professional certificate or license.
2. the writing of assignments and reports, collecting of supporting documents, filling out of forms, and other paperwork necessary to obtain a college degree or a professional certificate or license, apply for financial aid or a bank loan, etc.
3. Games See hare and hounds. 
• 1855–60
pa′per chas′er. 
pa′per-chas′ing, adj., n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

paper chase noun

1. a former type of cross-country run in which a runner laid a trail of paper for others to follow