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 can be thought of unattainable or merely wishful pondering. For instance, claiming that everybody will quickly be rich with out a concrete plan might be considered as presenting a pie within the sky state of affairs.
The phrase’s worth lies in its succinctness. It successfully communicates skepticism relating to bold or utopian proposals. Traditionally, the saying gained prominence within the early twentieth century, usually related to criticisms of non secular guarantees of rewards within the afterlife, notably these used to justify hardship within the current. It supplied a pointed solution to query the worth of tolerating current struggling in alternate for a doubtlessly nonexistent future profit.