a figment of somebody's imagination

figment of (one's)/the imagination

An experience that initially is thought to be real but is actually imagined. I thought I heard the sound of my front door opening last night but it turned out to be a figment of my imagination.
See also: figment, imagination, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a figment of somebody’s imagiˈnation

something which somebody only imagines: Doctor, are you suggesting the pain is a figment of my imagination?
See also: figment, imagination, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • figment of (one's)/the imagination
  • figment of one's imagination
  • a thought
  • cross (one's) mind
  • cross mind
  • cross one's mind
  • cross somebody's mind
  • cross your mind
  • pale at
  • paling
References in periodicals archive
It is a figment of somebody's imagination,'' Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesman Masood Ahmad Khan told Kyodo News.
Pakistan denies nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia