望梅止渴的英文：
[Literal Meaning]
look/plum/quench/thirst
to quench one's thirst by thinking of plums

[解释]
形容愿望无法实现，用空想安慰自己。

[Explanation]
to console oneself with false hopes

[例子]
你不要再望梅止渴了，你喜欢的小丽去年就已经结婚了。

[Example]
You shall not console yourself with false hopes any more. Xiao Li, the girl who you are longing for, got married last year.

[英文等价词]
a Barmecide feast
smell one's oats

To quench thirst by watching plums
望梅止渴