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Pie-in-the-sky?

12 replies
1 2
:
Hi,

can anyone explain to me what does it mean. The context is: "That's no pie-in-the-sky fantasy for you"

Thanks,
Adam.
New Member19
:
Hi Adams,
When an idea, promise, or something good (here the fantasy, or your dream) is unlikely to happen, or to be reached, we can call it as a pie in the sky!
Cheers,
Contributing Member1,382
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:
In Germany we call that "Luftschloss". That is a "castle built out of air".
New Member08
:
I didn't know that one! I think I'll cherish it from now on... Might even change my nicknameEmotion: smile
In French, it's a "château en Espagne"
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:
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-pie1.htm

This is a link to info about the term "pie in the sky" - there was a song circulated by an American socialist organization in the early 1900s that was a sarcastic response to the Salvation Army, a Christian organization that stressed that people who suffered on Earth would get their reward in Heaven. The line was "you'll have pie in the sky when you die."

(The anti-Christian sarcasm of the song is not still part of the general understanding of the phrase - now it usually means an unlikely, but much desired, future reward)
Veteran Member6,121
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:
Then it's not the same as a "château en Espagne". Those castles are just fantasies of the mind, but no hint of future reward, not even of being much desired. It's mors like mythomania (but not quite).
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We build castles in Spain too, but not often. Usualy we chase rainbows or cry for the moon.
Senior Member2,657
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What does 'chase rainbows and cry for the moon' idioms mean?

Does they mean same as 'pie in the sky': "something that you hope will happen but which is very unlikely to happen"
Regular Member507
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It's to yearn for things you'll never get.
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