"figment of {one's} imagination" 的定义和意义

What is the origin of the idiom "figment of one's imagination" and when to use it?

The idiom "figment of one's imagination" originated from the concept of a figment, meaning a product or creation of one's imagination. It suggests that something is not real or tangible but exists solely in the person's mind. The phrase is mostly used to emphasize the idea that the perceived object, event, or concept is purely a product of the individual's imagination and does not have a basis in reality.