pipe dream

Definitions

A desire or idea which is unlikely to materialize, or a plan which is unlikely to work; a near impossibility.

idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“I think⟳ that his plan⟳ to become⟳ a professional athlete is a pipe dream⟳ and that he should stay⟳ in school.”

“Only a year ago it would have⟳ needed a "super-Micawber" to be optimistic that the railways would once again pay⟳ their way. But it was no longer a pipe dream⟳ that B.R. could make⟳ a profit, the way to do it was now clear.”

CEFR level