thrill of the hunt

Noun

thrill of the hunt

1. (idiomatic) The anticipation and excitement experienced while searching for something that is difficult to obtain.
   • Then, a couple of years ago, Bolle chanced upon a hamper filled with baseball cards at a yard sale. Bolle, 41, bought the treasure chest for $5, and as he was going through the loot, he remembered the thrill of the hunt for cards of his favored Dodgers, and the important role baseball played in his...2003 May 8, “It's all in the cards”, in Los Angeles Times, page E38
   • While stamps vary in price from their street value to the vaulted collectible price for the "Inverted Jenny," which fetched $977,500 at auction, Canupp said his event, which has been held three times a year since 1992, is more about sharing knowledge and the thrill of the hunt than getting rich.2011 July 8, “Asheville Stamp and Postcard Show is signed, sealed and delivered”, in Asheville Citizen-Times

   Synonyms:

   thrill of the chase