fool's paradise

American

noun

a state of enjoyment based on false beliefs or hopes; a state of illusory happiness.

fool's paradise British

noun

illusory happiness

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

fool's paradise Idioms

State of delusive contentment or false hope. For example, Joan lived in a fool's paradise, looking forward to a promotion she would never get. This expression was first recorded in 1462.

Etymology

Origin of fool's paradise

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023