Something that is made to seem very grand, elaborate, and/or prosperous for the purposes of impressing others, but which in reality has no real worth or substance. Taken from a story about Russian minister Grigory Potemkin (1739–1791), who allegedly erected false, painted façades to mimic a thriving, successful village along the Dnieper River in Crimea to impress the visiting Empress Catherine II. The tightly controlled totalitarian country is often accused of creating a Potemkin village each time it televises some event, a meager attempt to convince the outside world that its people are happy under the thumb of the dictatorship.

Those who are raising a child need many people's help and support. When my wife and I got divorced, I learned firsthand that it takes a village to raise a child.

Many people's help or involvement is needed to achieve some goal. A shortening of the proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child." Come on, you'll never get this bill passed without their help. It takes a village, you know.