das Traumgespinst
Translation
pipe dream, fantasy, figment of the imagination
Examples
Seine Pläne waren nur ein Traumgespinst.
His plans were just a pipe dream.
Sie verlor sich in einem Traumgespinst aus Hoffnungen.
She lost herself in a fantasy of hopes.
Grammar Patterns
to dismiss ((sth.)) as a pipe dream He dismissed her idea as a pipe dream.
Similar Words
Fantasie (fantasy), Illusion (illusion), Hirngespinst (figment of the brain)
Etymology
From 'Traum' (dream) and 'Gespinst' (spun web, fabric). Literally 'something spun from a dream'.
Memory Tips
Imagine a spider spinning a web made of dreams – beautiful but fragile and unreal.