The expression signifies an unrealistic or fanciful notion, a promise of future reward that’s unlikely to materialize. It generally describes guarantees or hopes which might be thought of unattainable or merely wishful considering. For instance, claiming that everybody will quickly be rich with out a concrete plan may be considered as presenting a pie within the sky situation.
The phrase’s worth lies in its succinctness. It successfully communicates skepticism concerning formidable or utopian proposals. Traditionally, the saying gained prominence within the early twentieth century, typically related to criticisms of non secular guarantees of rewards within the afterlife, significantly these used to justify hardship within the current. It provided a pointed method to query the worth of tolerating current struggling in alternate for a doubtlessly nonexistent future profit.