pie in the sky

See also: pie-in-the-sky

English

Etymology

1911, phrase originally in reference to the promises of religion taken from a song written by Joe Hill, "The Preacher and the Slave", a parody of the Salvation Army hymn "In the Sweet By and By". Hill was associated with the Industrial Workers of the World (commonly known as the Wobblies), who organized migrant laborers. When the workers returned to the cities, they faced the Salvation Army.

You will eat, bye and bye,

In that glorious land above the sky;

Work and pray, live on hay,

You'll get pie in the sky when you die

Noun

pie in the sky ‎(uncountable)

1. A fanciful notion; an unrealistic or ludicrous concept; the illusory promise of a desired outcome that is unlikely to happen.
   • 1959, Sammy Cahn (lyrics), Jimmy Van Heusen (music) (music), “High Hopes”, performed by sung by Frank Sinatra and Eddie Hodges, in the film A Hole in the Head:

     Just what makes that little old ant / think he'll move a big rubber plant?
     Anyone knows an ant can't / move a rubber tree plant,
     but he's got high hopes / he's got high hopes;
     he's got high in the sky / apple pie hopes…

Synonyms

• eggs in moonshine

Translations

project or scheme of a fanciful nature

• Dutch: luchtkasteel
• Maori: waitara