Translation guide
An unrealistic hope or promise of future happiness or success that is unlikely to happen.
Expressing that a plan, idea, or promise is too idealistic and unlikely to be realized.
Literally 'a rice cake drawn in a picture' — something that looks good but is useless because it cannot be eaten. Used for plans or ideas that are nice in theory but impractical.
その計画は絵に描いた餅だ。
That plan is just pie in the sky.
Literally 'an empty theory on a desk' — an idea that works only in theory, not in reality. Often used for academic or business proposals that are unrealistic.
彼の提案は机上の空論に過ぎない。
His proposal is nothing but pie in the sky.
Literally 'a dream story' — a fanciful, unrealistic tale or idea. Conveys that something is too good to be true.
宝くじで一億円当てるなんて夢物語だ。
Winning 100 million yen in the lottery is just pie in the sky.
Literally 'a tower on sand' — something built on an unstable foundation, doomed to fail. More literary and less common in daily speech.
その約束は砂上の楼閣だった。
That promise was pie in the sky.