vain dream of wealth and glory; illusory worldly success
A classical Chinese-derived idiom (故事成語) referring to the fleeting nature of worldly ambitions, based on the story of a man who dreamed of a lifetime of prosperity while his millet was cooking. Used in literary or reflective contexts.
彼は邯鄲の夢のような人生を送った。
He lived a life like a vain dream of wealth and glory.
栄華を極めた将軍も、今思えば邯鄲の夢に過ぎなかった。
The general who reached the pinnacle of glory, in retrospect, was nothing more than an illusory dream.