the moon on a stick

The term describes something that is impossible to obtain.

• "Once I saved twenty-five dollars and bought her a print gown for her birthday, and she was so pleased you'd have thought I'd given her the moon on a stick."
• "There is no point in asking for the moon on a stick, but we can produce cheap sticks through a sensible division of labour and sell them with effective market segmentation strategies. Leave the moon for dreamers."
• "You promise partners the moon on a stick, so that you can snatch it back easily when you change your mind."
• "What more do I want—the moon on a stick of course."

• ask for the moon
• heaven on a stick
• moon shot
• promise the moon