idle hope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "idle hope" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a hope that is unrealistic or unlikely to be fulfilled, often implying a sense of futility. Example: "Despite the challenges ahead, clinging to idle hope will not change the outcome of the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Alas, it is an idle hope.

The Guardian

Mr. Peres said that to him the idea was to bring thoughtful Jews and non-Jews together in the perhaps idle hope of "making the Jews more worldly and making the world more Jewish".

The New York Times

Before we bag our tiles and tote Our points up in the idle hope That a bingo lurks there, lying low Let's take some heart from PIETY, One of the only words I see That might have been played by you or me — Except for PA, not counting DE, A somewhat affected preposition: Judith DE Queens?

The New Yorker

But the two startup's founders are eerily silent about the downtime on their blogs and Twitter accounts, so it might be idle hope.

TechCrunch

At the time, they were still hopeful about being able to continue producing video shows and attracting enough advertises to execute on their financial plan, but that turned out to be idle hope.

TechCrunch

This is likely to be an idle hope.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"We are not just sitting idle, hoping that the economy is going to give us what we need".

Huffington Post

For another, it may be idle to hope that taking explanatory considerations into account will in general leave us with a manageable set of partitions, or that, even if it does, this will not be due merely to the fact that we are overlooking a great many prima facie plausible ways of partitioning logical space to begin with.

SEP

At the outset of his commencement speech, Idle said he hoped to identify something grads could can take away as they embark on their adult life.

Huffington Post

Construction workers have been idle for years, with little hope of imminent work.

The New York Times

Often idle and without any real hope for the future, hundreds of young people have joined the rebellion.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "idle hope" with alternatives like "vain hope" or "futile expectation" to provide more descriptive language.

Common error

Avoid using "idle hope" when you simply mean 'optimism' or 'expectation'. "Idle hope" implies a lack of basis or a high probability of failure; using it inappropriately can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "idle hope" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "idle" modifies the noun "hope". It describes a specific type of hope that is unrealistic or without a firm basis. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "idle hope" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that functions as a noun phrase denoting an unrealistic or unfounded expectation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct. Its primary function is to express skepticism and is mainly found in news and media contexts. While "idle hope" might be replaced by similar phrases such as "vain hope" or "futile expectation", it uniquely conveys a blend of longing and resignation that enriches expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vain hope

Emphasizes the futility and ultimate disappointment associated with the hope.

futile expectation

Shifts the focus to the anticipation of something that is unlikely to happen.

empty optimism

Highlights the lack of substance or justification behind the positive outlook.

false promise

Suggests a deceptive or misleading element to the initial hope.

unfounded expectation

Focuses on the lack of a solid basis or reason for the hope.

wishful thinking

Implies that the hope is based more on desire than on reality.

pipe dream

Denotes an unrealistic or fanciful hope that is unlikely to ever materialize.

hollow expectation

Highlights the emptiness and lack of fulfillment associated with the expectation.

groundless anticipation

Emphasizes the absence of any valid reason or justification for the anticipation.

baseless optimism

Focuses on the lack of a rational or logical foundation for the optimism.

FAQs

How can "idle hope" be used in a sentence?

"Idle hope" describes a desire or expectation that's unlikely to be realized. For example, "Clinging to "idle hope" will not change the outcome of the situation."

What phrases are similar to "idle hope"?

Similar phrases include "vain hope", "futile hope", and "empty optimism". They all suggest a hope that is unlikely to be fulfilled.

When is it appropriate to use "idle hope"?

Use "idle hope" when you want to convey that a hope is not only unlikely but also perhaps foolish or unfounded. It implies a sense of detachment from reality.

What's the difference between "idle hope" and "optimism"?

"Optimism" is a general positive outlook, while "idle hope" specifically suggests a hope that is unrealistic or lacks a solid foundation. Using "idle hope" adds a layer of skepticism or resignation.