maintain the fantasy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain the fantasy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in contexts where you want to suggest preserving an illusion or a certain belief, often in a playful or imaginative scenario. Example: "In order to keep the children engaged during the story, we must maintain the fantasy of the magical kingdom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

They simply lacked the mental fortitude to maintain the fantasy when not within 10 yards of the movie".

Independent

"People fight hard to maintain the fantasy that Guadalajara is an oasis of tranquillity," she told me.

The New Yorker

Spending cuts will always be more popular with the public, for most of us can maintain the fantasy that cuts will be painless, leaving untouched our favorite programs and services.

The New York Times

Displaying an obsession with secrecy: "Speaking out of turn is clamped down on whenever it occurs … they continue to maintain the fantasy that they can keep everything a secret".

The Guardian

You never find a voice in an article on the subject making a reasoned case for retaining the status quo; we just don't want to deal with it, would rather maintain the fantasy that the bereaved will find comfort in the integrity of a corpse, in their right to burn a decaying liver.

The Guardian - Opinion

We wanted to maintain the fantasy".

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Maintaining the fantasy of this-then-that gives us at least the satisfaction of appearing to control our destiny, when clearly we do not and cannot.

The New York Times - Health

The family has to take in a colorful boarder, Mr. Hyde Lynn Cohenn), in order to make ends meet after Papa loses his job, but Mama maintains the fantasy that everything is all right: she reassures the family that they "don't have to go to the bank" for help.

The New Yorker

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Vice

It's possible that it decided that maintaining the fantasy-land version of economics that has proved so convenient to the rich is simply a luxury it can no longer afford.

The Guardian - Opinion

In addition to a common problem for children's presenters – becoming too old to maintain the required fantasy-sibling dynamic – Chegwin suffered health problems, including alcoholism.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "maintain the fantasy" when you want to emphasize the effort required to keep an illusion or idealized belief alive, often in the face of reality. This phrase is particularly effective in contexts where the contrast between fantasy and reality is significant.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain the fantasy" in contexts where a simpler verb like "keep" or "preserve" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or contrived. Ensure the context warrants the specific nuance of actively maintaining a fragile or unrealistic belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain the fantasy" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used with a subject to describe the act of preserving an illusion or unrealistic belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintain the fantasy" is a verbal phrase used to describe the act of preserving an illusion or unrealistic belief. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, often implying a critical or reflective perspective. While grammatically sound, overusing the phrase can make writing sound contrived; thus, writers should consider the context carefully. Alternatives include "preserve the illusion" or "sustain the dream". Therefore, understanding its function and appropriate use enhances writing precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preserve the illusion

Focuses on keeping an illusion intact, similar to maintaining a fantasy.

sustain the dream

Emphasizes keeping a positive dream alive, akin to maintaining a fantasy.

uphold the pretense

Highlights the act of keeping up a false appearance, resembling the effort to maintain a fantasy.

keep the make-believe alive

Directly refers to preserving a fabricated reality, similar to maintaining a fantasy.

support the delusion

Implies actively reinforcing a false belief, much like maintaining a fantasy.

cultivate the fiction

Suggests actively nurturing a fabricated story or belief, similar to maintaining a fantasy.

bolster the illusion

Focuses on strengthening an illusion, which can be a component of maintaining a fantasy.

perpetuate the myth

Highlights the continuation of a false or exaggerated story, akin to maintaining a fantasy.

nourish the make-believe

Similar to "keep the make-believe alive", this focuses on actively encouraging a fantastical construct.

reinforce the belief

Focuses on strengthening a belief (even if false), resembling the effect of maintaining a fantasy.

FAQs

What does "maintain the fantasy" mean?

"Maintain the fantasy" means to preserve or uphold an illusion, idealized belief, or unrealistic scenario, often requiring effort to keep it alive despite conflicting realities.

How can I use "maintain the fantasy" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company tried to "maintain the fantasy" of unlimited growth, but the market downturn made it impossible".

What are some alternatives to "maintain the fantasy"?

You can use alternatives like "preserve the illusion", "sustain the dream", or "uphold the pretense", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "maintain the fantasy" formal or informal?

"Maintain the fantasy" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although its impact is stronger when used to highlight a deliberate effort to preserve an illusion.