ivory tower

Meaning

This expression refers to a state of privileged seclusion or separation from the facts and practicalities of the real world. In academic contexts, it is often used casually or critically to describe universities or academics who are out of touch with everyday life and practical problems.

Examples

• He spent his whole life in an ivory tower and has no idea how hard it is to find a job these days.

  He spent his whole life in an ivory tower and has no idea how hard it is to find a job these days.

• We need to get out of our ivory tower and actually talk to the people our research affects.

  We need to get out of our ivory tower and actually talk to the people our research affects.

• Her theories sound great in her ivory tower, but they just don't work in a real classroom.

  Her theories sound great in her ivory tower, but they just don't work in a real classroom.

• Academic researchers are often accused of living in an ivory tower, detached from public concerns.

  Academic researchers are often accused of living in an ivory tower, detached from public concerns.

• Don't let your academic success turn into an ivory tower; stay connected to the community.

  Don't let your academic success turn into an ivory tower; stay connected to the community.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He lives in a tower of ivory.

  ✓ He lives in an ivory tower.

  'Ivory tower' is a fixed idiomatic phrase. You cannot change the word order or use the preposition 'of'.

• ✗ The professor is very ivory tower.

  ✓ The professor lives in an ivory tower.

  'Ivory tower' is a noun phrase, usually used with verbs like 'live in' or 'retreat to'. It should not be used directly as a predicate adjective describing a person.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Many critics argue that university professors live in an ___ and don't understand the struggles of local businesses.

  💡 A metaphorical place of isolation from real-world problems.

  Show answer

  ivory tower

• It's easy to make policy decisions from an ___ without seeing the actual consequences on the ground.

  💡 A phrase meaning disconnected from reality.

  Show answer

  ivory tower