# pie in the sky

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/pie-in-the-sky
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A fanciful notion; an unrealistic or ludicrous concept; the illusory promise of a desired outcome that is unlikely to happen.

## Examples

- 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.

## Origin

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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.