PhrasesHub

Dreams of empire

    Definitions

      • Ambitious and unrealistic plans or desires for power and control
        Often used in a negative or cautionary context, to warn against pursuing grandiose ambitions that are unlikely to be fulfilled

      • Romantic or idealized fantasies about ruling or conquering
        Can also refer to more positive and aspirational dreams of building a successful empire or achieving great things through hard work and determination

    Examples of Dreams of empire

    • Microsoft had dreams of empire with Windows ME.

      Microsoft had ambitious plans to expand its Windows operating system line with Windows ME, which turned out to be a disastrous release due to its lack of stability and compatibility issues, leading to a significant loss of customer confidence and a serious setback for Microsoft's empire-building aspirations in the operating system market.

    • The colonizer's dreams of empire led to the creation of artificial boundaries and forced assimilation.

      During colonization, European powers had desires to expand their territories, which often resulted in the creation of artificial boundaries and policies of forced assimilation to subjugate local communities. These actions not only inflicted harm on the colonized people but also played a significant role in shaping the political and social landscape of many countries in the aftermath of colonization.

    • The video game developer's dreams of empire led to the acquisition of smaller studios.

      Some video game developers have aimed to become industry leaders by acquiring smaller studios with promising games, technology, or talent. While this strategy has helped these companies expand their product lines and grow their market share, it has also raised concerns about the potential negative impacts on competition, innovation, and employment.

    • The politician's dreams of empire led to policies favoring big corporations over small businesses.

      In pursuit of political power and support from large corporations, some politicians have implemented policies that favor big corporations over small businesses, providing them with tax breaks, subsidies, and regulatory advantages. This has led to a concentration of economic power and a decline in the competitiveness and viability of small businesses, thereby exacerbating income inequality and social issues.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "dreams of empire" can have both negative and positive connotations, depending on the context in which it is used. It is often used as a cautionary phrase to discourage someone from pursuing overly ambitious or unrealistic plans for power and control. However, it can also refer to more positive and aspirational dreams of building a successful empire through hard work and determination.

    Some possible interpretations of this idiom include having delusions of grandeur, being overly idealistic or unrealistic, or having a strong desire for power and control. It can also imply a sense of nostalgia for past empires or a longing for a sense of greatness and achievement.

    Origin of "Dreams of empire"

    The phrase "dreams of empire" has its roots in ancient history, specifically the Roman Empire. During this time, there was a strong belief in the idea of an "imperium sine fine" or "empire without end." This term was used to describe the Roman Empire's seemingly unstoppable expansion and dominance over other nations.

    Over time, this phrase evolved to refer to the grandiose and often unrealistic ambitions of individuals or nations to conquer and rule over others. It has also been used in literature and popular culture to depict dreams of power and control, often with a sense of foreboding or caution.

    Overall, the origins of the idiom "dreams of empire" can be traced back to the ancient Roman Empire and its idea of an unending empire. Its use has since evolved to encompass both positive and negative interpretations of ambitious dreams and desires for power and control.