In the Cambridge learners dictionary the meaning of the phrase in the flesh
is described as follows:
in the flesh: in real life and not on television or in a film
But I want to know if it can be used in a more general way as a synonym of in reality
? For instance suppose the following sentences:
I have always dreamed of having my own business but it is very difficult in reality.
I have always dreamed of having my own business but it is very difficult in the flesh
These sentences do not have anything to do with TV and movies. So is it correct to use in the flesh
instead of in reality
? do they have the same meaning?