be whistling Dixie

be whistling Dixie

slang To have an unrealistic, usually overly optimistic, view of something. "Dixie" was a song popular among Confederate soldiers during the US Civil War and became associated with continuing to hope for the success of a lost cause. Primarily heard in US. You're whistling Dixie if you think we're making the playoffs this year.
See also: Dixie, whistle
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • whistle Dixie
  • be not whistling Dixie
  • Dixie
  • not be whistling Dixie
  • not just whistling Dixie
  • not (just) whistling Dixie
  • whistlin
  • you ain't (just) whistling Dixie
  • You ain't just whistlin' Dixie
  • be in a dream world