The idiom “to build castles in the air” means to imagine or dream about something impossible or unrealistic. It refers to people who spend time thinking about grand plans or desires that are unlikely to come true. This phrase is often used to describe a dreamer who loves to imagine but does not take practical steps to make those dreams real.

Key explanations:

• The phrase originated from old English expressions meaning “to make impossible plans” or “to dream without foundation.”

• It is a metaphor comparing imaginary castles floating in the air to unrealistic dreams that have no solid base or reality.

• A person who “builds castles in the air” is usually a dreamer, not a doer. He or she loves thinking about future success, wealth, or happiness but rarely works to achieve them.

• In literature and conversation, this idiom is often used to warn against daydreaming or unrealistic expectations. For example, if someone dreams of becoming rich without any plan or effort, we can say, “He is building castles in the air.”

• This idiom teaches a moral lesson about the difference between dreaming and doing. While dreaming is good, success comes from realistic goals and hard work.

• Synonyms of this expression include “daydreaming,” “living in a fantasy,” or “wishful thinking.”

• Opposite expressions can be “being practical,” “down to earth,” or “realistic.”

• In literary works, writers use this idiom to show the contrast between imagination and reality. For instance, many characters in classic novels dream big but fail to act, symbolizing the idea of “building castles in the air.”

• The phrase also reflects human nature—our tendency to dream beyond limits. However, without action, those dreams remain mere thoughts in the air.

In short, the idiom “to build castles in the air” perfectly means “to be a dreamer”, someone who imagines wonderful things without grounding them in reality.

• To read between the lines (Phrase)
English Meaning: কোনো কিছুতে সরাসরি না বললেও ভেতরে লুকানো বা ইঙ্গিতপূর্ণ অর্থ খুঁজে বের করা।
Bangla Meaning: ভালো করে পড়ে গোপন বা অপ্রকাশিত অর্থ বোঝা।

Example Sentence: Try to read between the lines, or you may miss something important.
বাংলা অনুবাদ: লুকানো অর্থ বোঝার চেষ্টা করো, নাহলে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ কিছু মিস হতে পারে।

মূল ভাব: কোনো লেখা বা কথায় সরাসরি যেটা বলা হয়নি, সেটাও বুঝে নেওয়ার চেষ্টা করাই হলো “to read between the lines”।

Source: Live MCQ Lecture

Idiom: “By and by”

• Meaning:

  • English: before long; eventually; soon; ultimately; a future time or occasion

  • Bangla: দেখতে দেখতে, অবিলম্বে, অবশেষে, অনতিকাল মধ্যে; পরবর্তী কালে; পরে

• Correct Option: গ) Before long

Related Idioms / Phrases:

1. By the by

   • English: incidentally; by the way (used as a sentence connector)

   • Bangla: প্রসঙ্গক্রমে, যাই হোক

2. On the whole

   • English: by and large; mostly; in general

   • Bangla: মোটের উপর

3. By nature

   • English: essentially or innately

   • Bangla: স্বভাবতঃ বা সহজাত

Sources:

1. Oxford Dictionary

2. Merriam-Webster Dictionary