Meaning: An impractical or unrealistic plan or dream
Hindi: हवाई किला (अव्यावहारिक सपना)
Synonyms: pipe dream, unrealistic plan, daydream
Antonyms: practical plan, realistic goal
Asked in: SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Higher Secondary Level) · SSC MTS 2021
castle in the air in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Higher Secondary Level) Idioms & Phrases
In the following sentence, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which gives the correct meaning of the underlined idiom or phrase.
The politician’s promise of a new park turned out to be a castle in the air project with no funding.Answer & explanation
Answer: B) Plans or ideas with little hope of being realised
Meaning: a castle in the air = a plan or dream that is very unlikely to come true *(हवाई किला, शेखचिल्ली का सपना)*.
A park promised with no funding is exactly such a plan.
Origin.
In use since the 16th century: a castle built on air has no foundation, so it can never really stand.
Why the others are wrong.
#B An impressive, completed architectural structure *(भव्य, बना हुआ भवन)* — the opposite: nothing here is built.
#B A highly secure government facility *(अत्यंत सुरक्षित सरकारी प्रतिष्ठान)* — reads *castle* literally as a fortress.
#B Goals that are easily attainable without much effort *(आसानी से प्राप्त लक्ष्य)* — the opposite; that idea is *a piece of cake* or *child's play*.
Answer:
Examples
- “His business idea was just a castle in the air with no funding.”
castle in the air – questions
What is the meaning of castle in the air in Hindi?
castle in the air means “हवाई किला (अव्यावहारिक सपना)” in Hindi. In English: An impractical or unrealistic plan or dream
What are the synonyms of castle in the air?
Synonyms of castle in the air: pipe dream, unrealistic plan, daydream.
What is the opposite of castle in the air?
Antonyms of castle in the air: practical plan, realistic goal.
Has castle in the air been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – castle in the air has been asked 2 times in SSC exams: SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Higher Secondary Level), SSC MTS 2021.