PhrasesHub

Pie in the sky

    Definitions

      • discourage someone
        Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

      • unrealistic hope
        Refer to something that is unlikely to happen or that is too good to be true

    Examples of Pie in the sky

    • The socialist government's promise of free healthcare for all seems like nothing more than pie in the sky.

      This idiom means that the promise is unlikely to be fulfilled as it is overly optimistic or impractical. It suggests that the hope of receiving something desirable, such as free healthcare, is unrealistic and has little chance of coming true. The phrase "pie in the sky" comes from a famous 1930s cartoon depicting workers in a factory being promised a pie that hangs on a conveyor belt in the sky as an incentive to work harder. However, the pie remains out of reach, highlighting the impracticality and futility of the promise.

    • The coach's aspirations of leading the team to the championship are simply pie in the sky.

      This idiom is used to describe a goal or objective that is highly unlikely or unrealistic. In this context, the coach is hoping for an outcome that is far-fetched or improbable, and their dream of winning the championship may simply be an unattainable fantasy, much like the pie that is dangled in front of the workers in the cartoon.

    • The company's claim of doubling profits in the next year seems like pie in the sky.

      This idiom is used to describe a statement or claim that is excessively optimistic or implausible. In this example, the company is asserting a significant increase in profits, which may be unrealistic and impossible to achieve in the given time frame. The phrase "pie in the sky" underlines the unlikelihood of the company's promises and suggests that the outcome is unlikely to materialise.

    • The politician's pledge to reduce taxes for all citizens is pie in the sky, as it would require significant budget cuts that would impact essential services.

      This idiom is used to denote a promise or guarantee that is overly optimistic or unrealistic, given the circumstances. In this instance, the politician's vow to decrease taxes for all residents is impractical, given the potential consequences for other critical services. By calling it "pie in the sky," the statement implies that the outcome is impossible to achieve, and the politician's promise is unlikely to come true.

    • The company's plan to provide free healthcare to all its employees is nothing but a pie in the sky.

      In this example, "pie in the sky" is used to describe an unrealistic and impractical plan. It implies that the proposal for free healthcare is not likely to come to fruition and is more of a dream or fantasy.

    • The politician's promise to eliminate poverty in the country within a year is pure pie in the sky.

      "Pie in the sky" is again used to depict an unattainable goal. In this case, it suggests that the claim to wipe out poverty within a year is overly optimistic and unlikely to be achieved.

    • The startup's plan to make instant teleportation a reality is nothing but a pipe dream.

      "Pipe dream" is sometimes used interchangeably with "pie in the sky" to mean an unrealistic or impractical goal. In this context, "pipe dream" implies that the idea of instant teleportation is too fanciful and unrealistic to become a reality.

    • The investor's expectation that the stock market will continue to soar indefinitely is pure pie in the sky.

      "Pie in the sky" is used here to describe an unrealistic expectation that is unlikely to be fulfilled. It implies that the belief that the stock market will keep climbing forever is overly optimistic and based on unrealistic assumptions.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "pie in the sky" is often used to warn someone about the futility of a particular endeavor or to highlight the unlikelihood of a positive outcome. It can also be used to describe a hope or promise that is unrealistic and unlikely to come to fruition. In both cases, the intention is to discourage unrealistic expectations and encourage a more practical and realistic approach to the situation.

    People may use this idiom to caution against investing time or effort into a project or goal that is unlikely to yield any tangible results. It can also be used to express skepticism about promises or plans that seem too good to be true. Overall, the idiom is often used to temper optimism and encourage a more realistic perspective.

    Origin of "Pie in the sky"

    The origin of the idiom "pie in the sky" can be traced back to the early 20th century. It is believed to have originated from a labor song titled "The Preacher and the Slave" written by labor activist Joe Hill in 1911. In the song, the phrase "pie in the sky" is used to criticize organized religion and the idea of heavenly rewards that are promised to the poor and oppressed in the afterlife, while they continue to suffer in poverty and hardship in the present.

    The idiom gained popularity and came to be used more broadly to refer to any kind of unrealistic hope or promise. It has since become a common phrase in the English language, often used to caution against unrealistic expectations and encourage a more practical outlook on life.