figment of one's imagination

plural figments of one's imagination

1. figurativelyA product of the imagination; especially, such a thing whose unreality one may question, at least temporarily.

   Near-synonyms: hallucination, mirage

   3 more examples

   How much would you expect, if commissioned to go into the heart of mahometan worship, and to say to them, your prophet was an impostor, your koran is a lie, and all your hopes of a sensual paradise a mere figment of your imagination?

   1821, Stephen Chapin, The Duty of Living for the Good of Posterity - A Sermon, Delivered at North-Yarmouth, December, 22, 1820, in Commemoration of the Close of the Second Century from the Landing of the Fore-fathers of New-England, page 9

   I am just a figment of your imagination.

   1997, Ed Solomon, Men in Black, spoken by Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones)

   Another pause, this one agonizing, and then: "You might as well come in. Because if you're telling the truth, that's the most fascinating thing I've ever heard, and if you're lying, you're a figment of my imagination, and I could still use the company."

   2023 September 22, HarryBlank, “Off Track”, in SCP Foundation, archived from the original on 25 May 2024

   Synonyms: hallucination, mirage