pie-in-the-sky
Fantasy, not reality
Pie-in-the-sky describes hopes, promises, or plans that are pleasant to imagine but unrealistic: His campaign promises were pure pie-in-the-sky.
The phrase suggests empty optimism—a reward that will never materialize.
It originated as a critique of religion promising heavenly rewards while ignoring earthly suffering, but now applies to any impractical scheme or wishful thinking.
Lacking basis in reality
- unfeasibleNot capable of execution
- unworkableImpossible to execute
- impracticalNot suited for use
- quixoticImpractically pursuing lofty goals
fanciful · wishful · idealistic · starry-eyed · head-in-clouds · ivory-tower · romantic · naive
Imagined perfect society
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
- paradiseIdeal, blissful place
- idealisticPursuing unrealistic standards
- perfectionistOne demanding flawlessness
visionary · reformist · millenarian · futuristic · techno-utopian · socialist · egalitarian · harmonious
Atmospheric optical deception
- fantasyImaginative mental wandering
- delusionStubbornly held false belief
- illusionMisleading sensory impression
- figmentImagined thing, unreal
chimera · phantom · apparition · hallucination · dream · will-o'-wisp · bubble · vapor
Incapable of occurring
- out-of-reachBeyond one's grasp
- unobtainableImpossible to acquire
- unachievableCannot be accomplished
- hopelessBeyond possibility of success
insurmountable · inaccessible · unrealizable · moonshot · far-off · distant · elusive
Conscious fantasy while awake
- reverieAbstracted, pleasant daydream
- musingReflective contemplation
- woolgatheringAbsent-minded indulgence in fantasy
- fantasizingImagining desired scenarios
stargazing · wistful · whimsical · imaginative · fanciful · escapist · head-in-clouds · rose-colored
unrealistic
Lacking basis in reality
- unfeasibleNot capable of execution
- unworkableImpossible to execute
- impracticalNot suited for use
quixotic · fanciful · wishful · idealistic · starry-eyed · head-in-clouds · ivory-tower · romantic · naive · overambitious
utopia
Imagined perfect society
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
- paradiseIdeal, blissful place
- idealisticPursuing unrealistic standards
perfectionist · visionary · reformist · millenarian · futuristic · techno-utopian · socialist · egalitarian · harmonious
mirage
Atmospheric optical deception
- fantasyImaginative mental wandering
- delusionStubbornly held false belief
- illusionMisleading sensory impression
figment · chimera · phantom · apparition · hallucination · dream · will-o'-wisp · bubble · vapor · insubstantial
impossible
Incapable of occurring
- out-of-reachBeyond one's grasp
- unobtainableImpossible to acquire
- unachievableCannot be accomplished
hopeless · insurmountable · inaccessible · unrealizable · moonshot · far-off · distant · elusive
daydream
Conscious fantasy while awake
- reverieAbstracted, pleasant daydream
- musingReflective contemplation
- woolgatheringAbsent-minded indulgence in fantasy
fantasizing · stargazing · wistful · whimsical · imaginative · fanciful · escapist · head-in-clouds · rose-colored · idealized
- idealisticidealist, idealistic, utopian, quixotic, dreamer
- brainstorming termsbrainstorming, ideation, spitballing, wild ideas
pie-in-the-skyrealistic
True to life
achievable · practical · down-to-earth · feasible · attainable
pie-in-the-skygrounded
Stable and realistic
realistic · practical · fact-based · clear-eyed · hardheaded