pipe dream

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It was a pipe dream for so long … the notion that we would get a subway to the Westside,” Yaroslavsky said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

The oil-futures market thinks oil will fall from $98 a barrel today to $80 by September and $75 by Christmas — but that may be a pipe dream.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

Absent burning down the house, Nelson told me that’s probably a pipe dream, at least for now.

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2026

Yes, you could argue that the inconsistency is on the field, but it is a pipe dream to expect overall consistency when every situation is slightly different.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

They seem to have no idea what a pipe dream this is.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen