ivory tower - Definition & Meaning

a situation or state in which someone does not know or wishes to avoid the unpleasant things that can normally happen to people in their ordinary livesa situation or state in which someone does not know or wishes to avoid the unpleasant things that can normally happen to people in their ordinary lives

The idiom "ivory tower" traces its origins to the 19th century and is believed to have been popularized by the French poet Alfred de Vigny. It refers to the idea of an isolated, remote, and often unrealistic place where intellectuals, scholars, or academics engage in pursuits that are disconnected from the practical concerns and realities of everyday life. The term "ivory" in the phrase symbolizes a sense of purity, privilege, and detachment from the world. This expression is often used to criticize or describe individuals, particularly intellectuals or academics, who are perceived as being out of touch with the real world or as having impractical and idealistic views.The idiom "ivory tower" traces its origins to the 19th century and is believed to have been popularized by the French poet Alfred de Vigny. It refers to the idea of an isolated, remote, and often unrealistic place where intellectuals, scholars, or academics engage in pursuits that are disconnected from the practical concerns and realities of everyday life. The term "ivory" in the phrase symbolizes a sense of purity, privilege, and detachment from the world. This expression is often used to criticize or describe individuals, particularly intellectuals or academics, who are perceived as being out of touch with the real world or as having impractical and idealistic views.

例句

The book was written by some college professor who's spent her entire professional life in an ivory tower.
这本书是由一位整个职业生涯都待在象牙塔里的大学教授写的。
The professor's theories are intriguing, but they often come across as ivory tower ideas that don't consider real-world constraints.
教授的理論很有趣，但它們經常被視為不考慮現實世界限制的象牙塔想法。
Some politicians accuse economists of living in ivory towers, unaware of the struggles of working-class citizens.
一些政客指责经济学家生活在象牙塔中，不了解工人阶级公民的挣扎。