A pipe dream Meaning in English
expression
ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈpaɪp/ /ˈdɹim
uh PIPE-dreem
æɪ/ /pˈaɪp/ /dɹˈiːm
uh PIPE-dreem
Definition
An idea or plan that is impossible or very unlikely to ever happen.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal idiom used to describe unrealistic hopes or goals. It often implies naivety or an out-of-touch attitude. Commonly used with phrases like 'just a pipe dream' or 'sounds like a pipe dream'.
Spanish: una ilusión - un sueño imposiblePortuguese (BR): um sonho impossível - devaneioPortuguese (PT): um sonho impossível - delírioChinese (Simplified): 白日梦 - 不切实际的幻想Chinese (Traditional): 白日夢 - 不切實際的幻想Hindi: मूल्यहीन सपना - असंभव ख्वाबArabic: حلم مستحيل - وهمBengali: অসম্ভব স্বপ্ন - অলীক কল্পনাRussian: несбыточная мечта - иллюзияJapanese: 絵空事 - 夢物語Vietnamese: giấc mơ viển vông - điều không tưởngKorean: 허황된 꿈 - 공상Turkish: hayal - gerçekleşmesi imkânsız hayalUrdu: خواب و خیال - ناممکن خوابIndonesian: mimpi kosong - mimpi yang mustahil
Example Sentences
Owning a castle is a pipe dream for most people.
basic
Traveling to Mars is just a pipe dream right now.
basic
Winning the lottery is a pipe dream for many.
basic
He thinks he'll be a movie star, but it's probably a pipe dream.
natural
"Owning my own island? That’s just a pipe dream," she laughed.
natural
People used to call electric cars a pipe dream, but look at them now!
natural