English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Pipe dream
Meaning
The idiom "pipe dream" refers to an ambitious or unrealistic idea or plan that has little chance of success. It can also mean a pleasant, peaceful state of mind or a daydream. The phrase comes from the mid-19th century, when pipe dreams were popular in America as a way of generating new ideas and technologies.
Usage
- John's idea for a flying car is just a pipe dream; it's impossible to make it happen.
- After working long hours at the office, Sarah often retreated into her pipe dream world where she was a successful writer.
- The company promised to pay its debts by June, but I have a bad feeling that it's all just a pipe dream.
- The new iPhone 12 has some amazing features, but I think the price tag is way too high for most people; it's nothing more than a pipe dream.
- When we were kids, we used to spend hours playing in our backyard, creating pipe dreams of grand adventures and magical worlds.
Roots and History
The phrase "pipe dream" originated in the mid-19th century in America, when pipe dreams were popular as a way of generating new ideas and technologies. The phrase came from the idea that people could smoke pipes while daydreaming about new inventions or discoveries. Over time, the phrase evolved to mean any ambitious or unrealistic idea or plan with little chance of success.
Synonyms in English
- Fantasy
- Dream
- Delusion
- Illusion
- Wishful thinking
Synonyms in other languages
- Enchantement (French) - a magical spell or enchantment that can captivate and inspire people.
- 梦想 (Chinese) - a dream or ideal that a person hopes to achieve.
- 欣赏 (Japanese) - an appreciation for the beauty and elegance of something, often associated with daydreaming.
- Reverie (French) - a state of reverie or contemplation, often involving pleasant or peaceful daydreams.
- 夢想 (Korean) - a dream or ideal that a person hopes to achieve, often associated with desire and passion.