pipe dream

IPA/ˈpaɪp driːm/
IPA/ˈpaɪp driːm/

pipe dream — noun

1. a plan, wish, or idea that can never be achieved or is extremely unlikely to eve

1.名詞B2
釋義

a plan, wish, or idea that can never be achieved or is extremely unlikely to ever happen — like an impossible fantasy that someone refuses to give up on.

例句

Opening a bakery in Paris was just a pipe dream, but Tanaka kept saving money anyway.

collocation: just a pipe dream

Her plan to become a famous singer seemed like a pipe dream to the nurses.

pipe dream as predicate: seemed like a pipe dream

同義詞
  • fantasy

    broader — can be pleasant daydreams without implying impossibility

  • delusion

    stronger negative tone; suggests self-deception rather than just unrealistic hope

  • daydream

    lighter, less serious — a pleasant thought, not necessarily impossible

反義詞

文法句型

pipe dream of + noun/gerund

just/merely a pipe dream

用法筆記

Often used in the pattern 'just a pipe dream' to dismiss an idea as unrealistic. Common in informal conversation and personal narratives. Frequently paired with verbs like give up, dismiss, or abandon.

常見錯誤

❌I have a pipe dream to travel the world next year.
✅I have a pipe dream of traveling the world.
💡'pipe dream' is followed by 'of' + gerund, not an infinitive.
❌His pipe dream came true.
✅His unlikely dream came true.
💡'pipe dream' implies impossibility, so saying it 'came true' is contradictory. Use 'unlikely dream' instead.