wàng​méi​zhǐ​kě

to console oneself with illusions

Senses

望梅止渴 wàng​méi​zhǐ​kě to console oneself with illusions

To quench one's thirst by thinking of plums; to comfort oneself with empty hopes or unrealistic fantasies when a wish cannot be realized.

References

synonym 望梅止渴/望梅止渴 画饼充饥/畫餅充飢