Cry for the moon
Meaning
To desire or ask for something utterly impossible or unattainable.
Origin
The vivid image of a child innocently reaching for the moon, an object so clearly beyond their grasp, has long symbolized a desire for the impossible. This metaphor for unattainable longing appeared in literature as early as the 17th century, notably in William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, where Enobarbus remarks on Antony's escalating and unrealistic demands. The phrase captures the poignant futility of yearning for something magnificent yet utterly out of reach, solidifying its place in the English lexicon as a succinct way to describe an impossible wish.
Examples
- Her ambition to become an astronaut who lives on Mars is like crying for the moon, given her fear of heights and lack of scientific interest.
- Wishing for unlimited resources and perfect harmony in politics is essentially crying for the moon.