一個人即便計劃得再好，假如沒切實可行的條件，那夢想就好似煙霧一般虛無飄渺。大家一般用英語表達a pipe dream來指出某人的計劃或想法好似白日做夢一般，行不通。這個說法有消極意味，所以不可以用來描述 夢想、美夢等相對積極的定義。

例句

My mother says my fathers plan to sail around the world in his retirement1 is just a pipe dream.

我媽媽說，爸爸想要在退休后揚帆出海、環游世界的計劃只不過白日做夢。

The marketing2 manager is very confident and insists that her plan to increase company sales by 150% is not a pipe dream.

市場部經理堅信她計劃提高公司銷售額150%的策略不是空想。

My brothers laziness is evidence that his dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur is just a pipe dream.

我弟弟的懶惰足以證明，他想要成為成功企業家的黃粱美夢是行不通的。