I heard my friend use the phrase "illusions of grandeur" today and I laughed, partly because I knew she meant it in a humorous way, and partly because I thought it was funny she used the expression in the first place. However, I went home not knowing what the heck it means. I searched on the Internet, but all I could come up with was a company named Illusions of Grandeur. Please help!
2006-12-09 16:17:42 · 15 answers · asked by Dylan K 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
It's an expression meaning someone who has ideas of greatness (or thinks one is greater than they really are!).
2006-12-09 16:21:29 · answer #1 · answered by Rhonda 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's 'delusions', not illusions! Delusions of Grandeur mean exactly what the words say. You are fooling yourself (deluded) into thinking you're more or better(grandeur ... French for more or bigger) than you actually are. An example would be that you're the one guy all the girls 'really' are trying to get with when in fact, most of them probably wouldn't waste a minute of their time thinking about.
2006-12-09 16:33:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
An illusion is a false belief about the nature of something.
"Illusions of grandeur" are the false beliefs that someone has, about his greatness or percieved greatness in the future.
Often when musicians start a band they have illusions of grandeur. They think they will make it big and be the next Rolling Stones or Nirvana, when really they only play at church rummage sales and open mikes.
Illusions are similar to delusions, but saying "delusions" implies a level of mental madness, not just an ill-placed dream.
In the end, better to have illusions of grandeur than no dreams at all.
2006-12-09 17:02:52 · answer #3 · answered by True Blue 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think the original phrase was 'delusions of grandeur,' but either way, the meaning is ...someone who has delusions of grandeur has a very high opinion of themselves and things they are better or more important or powerful than they really are. if they have 'illusions of grandeur,' that would be more like they are seeing a mirage of a palace or something really fancy...so if your friend did say illusions, odds are she meant 'delusions'
2006-12-09 16:23:38 · answer #4 · answered by rainydaydreamr 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Do not confuse the two... There is Grandiose Delusions.... this is where the "MAN" himself thinks he is above that of others... However, "Grandeur Illusion" is specific because it usually has someone that is of "stature" ie, a King, or a Doctor, or a member of a household where someone else is famous, ie, Paris Hilton, and they HIDE behind this TITLE, but beneath the surface, "THEY" as a person are small. So the Grandeur Illusion is played out as they ACT out a part based upon the "royalty" of the title or status, but just below the surface lies very low self-esteem... I like to call it the "Wizard Of Oz" syndrome!
2015-12-16 04:47:35 · answer #5 · answered by chrisban35 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It made me think of it while watching Over Board. Joanna who becomes, Annie (played by Goldie Hawn) has a dream of her being dressed in an awesome outfit, @ a piano & some man dances with her (after of course being thrown overboard by the sway of the boat, while looking for her wedding ring). Now while she is rich woman while she lives on the boat (visions of Grandeur is really not in her imagination), though she has no memory of it (& therefore be seen as a vision of grandeur while in the poorhouse with Mr. Profit). It is too Mr. Profits advantage that he has her there, creating the opposite illusion that she is dirt poor. He for sure gains the money she owes him (for sure cleans his home & his yard) & a whole lot more from the experience & it for sure is funny. For the joke is on her, & ironically she learns to love her life with Mr. Profit (Kurt Russel) & his kids & goes back to him, for she later finds her old life boring with her rich husband. Ironically his name is Mr. Profit.
2014-07-20 05:46:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's delusions of grandeur.
For example, when a schizophrenic thinks that they are God.
2006-12-09 16:22:52 · answer #7 · answered by OU812 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think the phrase was delusions of grandure
de·lu·sion -Psychiatry A false belief strongly held in spite of invalidating evidence, especially as a symptom of mental illness:
grandeur- The quality or condition of being grand; magnificence:
Nobility or greatness of character
2006-12-09 16:50:05 · answer #8 · answered by Mr Cellophane 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Illusions Of Grandeur
2016-06-25 16:59:53 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/Szd93
How about those poor slobs who end up on American Idol who have no clue as to their lack of real talent. They go back home and sit in the closet wondering "WHY DIDN"T I MAKE IT - I WAS THE NEXT AMERICAN IDOOOOOLLLLLLL" whah, whah Sorry, couldn't help myself, I'm on a roll today. ;)
2016-03-27 05:28:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋