黄粱美梦

黄粱美梦

Literally means:

gold millet dream

Actually means:

sheer daydream

黄粱 refers to millet. According to anancient book, a poor scholar, sleeping on the pillow borrowed from a Taoist, had a fond dream in which he fully enjoyed a high position and great wealth. When he woke up, the millet was still being cooked.

The phrase figuratively means a dream that will never come true or a wish that will neve be fulfilled. It also refers to disillusionment, i.e. a ruined reverie. Sometimes it is ironic. Derogatory.

黄粱，小米。据古书记载，有个穷书生在道士借给他的枕头上睡觉，做了一个美梦，梦中享尽了荣华富贵，醒来后旅馆为客人做的小米饭还没有熟。

比喻不能成为现实的梦想，或根本不能实现的愿望;也指幻想破灭，所想的好事落空。有时带有嘲笑讽刺的意味。具有贬义色彩。