What does “Castle in the Air” mean?
"Castle in the Air" means a fanciful or unrealistic idea or plan.
What context can I use the in?
Example
His dreams of becoming a professional athlete were nothing more than a castle in the air.
Example
She spent hours daydreaming about winning the lottery, but it was just a castle in the air.
Example
The politician's promises of solving all the country's problems seemed like a castle in the air to many skeptical voters
Is “Castle in the Air” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Castle in the Air” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Castle in the Air” effectively in context?
You can use "Castle in the Air" to describe a fanciful or unrealistic idea or plan. It implies that the idea or plan is not grounded in reality and is unlikely to come true. For example, if someone is talking about their grand plans for starting a business without any concrete steps or resources, you might say, 'It sounds like a castle in the air.'
- 1Dreams and Aspirations
His dreams of becoming a professional athlete were nothing more than a castle in the air.
- 2Impractical Fantasies
She spent hours daydreaming about winning the lottery, but it was just a castle in the air.
- 3Empty Promises
The politician's promises of solving all the country's problems seemed like a castle in the air to many skeptical voters.
Similar phrases to “Castle in the Air”:
A series of pleasant thoughts or fantasies that are unlikely to come true
Example
He spends his days daydreaming about winning the lottery and living a life of luxury.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Castle in the Air” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Castle in the Air" is unknown.
Is “Castle in the Air” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Castle in the Air" is a commonly used expression in everyday conversation. People often use it to express skepticism or to dismiss unrealistic ideas or plans.
What tone does “Castle in the Air” have?
"Castle in the Air" conveys a tone of skepticism or disbelief. It suggests that the idea or plan being described is not practical or achievable.
Can “Castle in the Air” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Castle in the Air" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a versatile expression that conveys the concept of unrealistic ideas or plans. You can use it in casual conversations with friends and family, as well as in more formal situations such as discussions or presentations.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'His plans to become a famous actor were just a "castle in the air".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'That idea is a "castle in the air"!' to imply that it is unrealistic.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- unrealistic idea
- impractical plan
- fantasy
- wishful thinking
- unattainable goal
Antonyms
- realistic plan
- achievable goal
- practical idea
- feasible plan
