# somewhere over the rainbow

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/somewhere-over-the-rainbow
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

In an unknown, hypothetical, or very distant place.

## Examples

- He thinks his dream job is somewhere over the rainbow.
- You keep waiting for a perfect life that exists somewhere over the rainbow instead of fixing your current problems.
- The idealistic young artist spent his entire career chasing a vision of success that remained somewhere over the rainbow, forever just out of his reach.

## Origin

Popularized from the song Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland, written by Harold Arlen (music) and E. Y. Harburg (lyrics) for the film The Wizard of Oz

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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.