pie in the sky
A fanciful notion; an unrealistic or ludicrous concept; the illusory promise of a desired outcome that is unlikely to happen.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“His plan to become a famous actor is just pie in the sky.”
“Buying a private island is just pie in the sky for most people.”
“The company promised us a massive bonus, but most employees think it is just pie in the sky.”
“I want to travel the world for a year, but without any savings, my dream feels like pie in the sky right now.”
“The politician’s grand promises of instant economic prosperity were dismissed by critics as nothing more than pie in the sky.”
first recorded 20th c.
The phrase is originally from the song “The Preacher and the Slave” (1911) by Swedish-American labor activist and songwriter Joe Hill (1879–1915), which he wrote as a parody of the Salvation Army hymn “In the Sweet By-and-By” (published 1868). The song criticizes the Salvation Army for focusing on people’s salvation rather than on their material needs: : 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.
- 01
eat humble pie
To admit one's faults; to make a humiliating apology.
- 02
finger in the pie
A share in the doing of something; involvement.
- 03
have one's fingers in many pies
To be involved in many, or too many, different things.
- 04
humble pie
Humility, being humble.
- 05
piece of the pie
A piece of the action.
- 06
praise to the skies
To praise or laud (someone or something) excessively.
- 07
reach for the sky
To aim for the best possible outcome.
Last updated August 10, 2026