A pipe dream
/ə ˈpaɪp driːm/informalUK · US
What does “A pipe dream” mean?
A pipe dream means a hope or plan that is very unlikely to come true
Buying a castle might be a pipe dream if you can barely pay the rent. The phrase points to the gap between the wish and what seems possible.
People sometimes prove a pipe dream achievable. Calling it one is a judgement, not a prediction that must come true.
When do people say it?
Use it when a plan seems unrealistic. It can sound dismissive, especially when you are judging someone else’s ambition.
“With our tiny budget, opening a cinema seemed like a pipe dream.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal. It is most at home in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
The expression refers to dreams associated with smoking opium. In ordinary use, it describes an unrealistic hope rather than drug use.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “A pipe dream” in other languages?
Last updated 2026-11-04