castle in the air UK /ˈkɑːs(ə)l ɪn ðiː ˈɛə/US /ˈkæs(ə)l ɪn ði ˈɛəɹ/ noun1 •A desire, idea, or plan that is unlikely to ever be realized; a visionary project or scheme; a daydream, an idle fancy, a near impossibility.If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. — 1854 formscastles in the air