Dreams are more than just the stories that play in our minds while we sleep. They are the aspirations, hopes, and desires that shape our lives.
In this article, we’ll explore idioms for dreams, decoding their meanings and using them in sentences to make language learning an absolute breeze.
Dreams are like a road map to the uncharted territories of our imagination, guiding us through the landscapes of our deepest desires and aspirations. For more comparisons to describe dreams, you can check this link: Similes for dreams. And for a variety of metaphors related to dreams, you can explore this link: Metaphors for dreams.
What is an idiom for dreams?
Idioms are like little puzzles in language, where words come together to create meanings beyond their literal interpretation.
Let’s take a look at idioms for “dreams” and understand what they truly convey.
| Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Pipe Dream | An unrealistic or unattainable dream or goal | Building a sandcastle on the moon is a pure pipe dream; it’s impossible! |
| Sweet Dreams | A wish for a peaceful and pleasant night’s sleep | “Goodnight, sweet dreams,” Mom said as she tucked me into bed. |
| Chase a Dream | To pursue one’s ambitions or follow a personal aspiration | Sarah decided to leave her job and chase her dream of becoming a travel photographer. |
| Living the Dream | To be in an ideal or highly satisfying situation | After years of hard work, Mark is finally living the dream as a successful entrepreneur. |
| Dream Come True | When something you’ve always wanted or wished for becomes a reality | Winning the lottery was like a dream come true for him. |
| Dream Big | To set ambitious goals and have high aspirations | Don’t limit yourself; dream big and reach for the stars! |
| In Your Wildest Dreams | Something that is beyond the realm of possibility or imagination | Becoming a famous astronaut is in your wildest dreams; it’s incredibly challenging. |
| Dream On | An expression used to dismiss someone’s unrealistic or impractical dreams | “I’ll become a superhero one day!” John’s friend chuckled, saying, “Dream on, John!” |
| A Dreamer’s Paradise | A place or situation that seems perfect and ideal for dreamers | The beautiful beach resort felt like a dreamer’s paradise, with its pristine shores and clear blue waters. |
| Broken Dreams | Refers to unfulfilled hopes and aspirations | Despite her initial enthusiasm, her career in acting ended in broken dreams. |
| Beyond Your Wildest Dreams | Something that surpasses all expectations or is even better than one could have imagined | The surprise party went beyond my wildest dreams; I never expected so many friends to attend. |
| Dare to Dream | Encouragement to have the courage to pursue one’s aspirations and goals | The coach told the young athletes to dare to dream and aim for the championship. |
| Like a Dream | When something feels surreal or too good to be true | Winning the award felt like a dream; I couldn’t believe it was real. |
| Daydream Believer | Someone who often indulges in pleasant or unrealistic daydreams | Lisa is such a daydream believer; she’s always lost in her own world of fantasies. |
| Lost in a Dream | When someone is deeply engrossed in their thoughts or imagination | While gazing at the stars, she became lost in a dream, pondering the mysteries of the universe. |
| Follow Your Dreams | Encouragement to pursue one’s goals and ambitions | Her parents always told her to follow her dreams and never give up on her passions. |
| Dreamboat | A term used to describe an attractive and charming person | To her surprise, the handsome stranger at the cafe turned out to be a real dreamboat. |
| Dream Job | Refers to an ideal and fulfilling career | Landing the position of a wildlife photographer was her dream job. |
| Dream Team | A group of individuals who work exceptionally well together, creating a highly successful team | The chemistry between the players made them a dream team on the basketball court. |
| Dream Sequence | A sequence of events or thoughts that occur in a dreamlike or surreal manner | The movie had a captivating dream sequence that left the audience mesmerized. |
| Dreamy Eyes | Describing someone who appears lost in thought or daydreaming | As she gazed out the window, her dreamy eyes suggested she was lost in her own world. |
| Sweet Dreams Are Made of This | A reference to a famous song lyric, often used to wish someone goodnight | “Sweet dreams are made of this,” he whispered as he kissed her forehead before bedtime. |
| Dream State | A state of consciousness between being awake and asleep, often associated with vivid dreaming | During that brief dream state, she saw a surreal world filled with colorful creatures. |
| Dream House | Refers to the ideal and perfect home one desires | Their beachfront cottage was their dream house, with stunning ocean views. |
| Beyond the Dream | Refers to something that surpasses even the most ambitious dreams | The success of their business went beyond the dream; it exceeded all expectations. |
| Dream Factory | A place or industry that creates dreams, fantasies, or imaginative content | Hollywood is often called the dream factory, as it produces countless movies that transport audiences to different worlds. |
Idioms for Dreams
1. Pipe Dream
Meaning: An unrealistic or unattainable dream or goal.
In a Sentence: Building a sandcastle on the moon is a pure pipe dream; it’s impossible!
2. Sweet Dreams
Meaning: A phrase used to wish someone a peaceful and pleasant night’s sleep.
In a Sentence: “Goodnight, sweet dreams,” Mom said as she tucked me into bed.
3. Chase a Dream
Meaning: To pursue one’s ambitions or follow a personal aspiration.
In a Sentence: Sarah decided to leave her job and chase her dream of becoming a travel photographer.
4. Living the Dream
Meaning: To be in an ideal or highly satisfying situation.
In a Sentence: After years of hard work, Mark is finally living the dream as a successful entrepreneur.
5. Dream Come True
Meaning: When something you’ve always wanted or wished for becomes a reality.
In a Sentence: Winning the lottery was like a dream come true for him.
6. Dream Big
Meaning: To set ambitious goals and have high aspirations.
In a Sentence: Don’t limit yourself; dream big and reach for the stars!
7. In Your Wildest Dreams
Meaning: Something that is beyond the realm of possibility or imagination.
In a Sentence: Becoming a famous astronaut is in your wildest dreams; it’s incredibly challenging.
8. Dream On
Meaning: An expression used to dismiss someone’s unrealistic or impractical dreams.
In a Sentence: “I’ll become a superhero one day!” John’s friend chuckled, saying, “Dream on, John!”
9. A Dreamer’s Paradise
Meaning: A place or situation that seems perfect and ideal for dreamers.
In a Sentence: The beautiful beach resort felt like a dreamer’s paradise, with its pristine shores and clear blue waters.
10. Broken Dreams
Meaning: Refers to unfulfilled hopes and aspirations.
In a Sentence: Despite her initial enthusiasm, her career in acting ended in broken dreams.
11. Beyond Your Wildest Dreams
Meaning: Something that surpasses all expectations or is even better than one could have imagined.
In a Sentence: The surprise party went beyond my wildest dreams; I never expected so many friends to attend.
12. Dare to Dream
Meaning: Encouragement to have the courage to pursue one’s aspirations and goals.
In a Sentence: The coach told the young athletes to dare to dream and aim for the championship.
13. Like a Dream
Meaning: When something feels surreal or too good to be true.
In a Sentence: Winning the award felt like a dream; I couldn’t believe it was real.
14. Daydream Believer
Meaning: Someone who often indulges in pleasant or unrealistic daydreams.
In a Sentence: Lisa is such a daydream believer; she’s always lost in her own world of fantasies.
15. Lost in a Dream
Meaning: When someone is deeply engrossed in their thoughts or imagination.
In a Sentence: While gazing at the stars, she became lost in a dream, pondering the mysteries of the universe.
16. Follow Your Dreams
Meaning: Encouragement to pursue one’s goals and ambitions.
In a Sentence: Her parents always told her to follow her dreams and never give up on her passions.
17. Dreamboat
Meaning: A term used to describe an attractive and charming person.
In a Sentence: To her surprise, the handsome stranger at the cafe turned out to be a real dreamboat.
18. Dream Job
Meaning: Refers to an ideal and fulfilling career.
In a Sentence: Landing the position of a wildlife photographer was her dream job.
19. Dream Team
Meaning: A group of individuals who work exceptionally well together, creating a highly successful team.
In a Sentence: The chemistry between the players made them a dream team on the basketball court.
20. Dream Sequence
Meaning: A sequence of events or thoughts that occur in a dreamlike or surreal manner.
In a Sentence: The movie had a captivating dream sequence that left the audience mesmerized.
21. Dreamy Eyes
Meaning: Describing someone who appears lost in thought or daydreaming.
In a Sentence: As she gazed out the window, her dreamy eyes suggested she was lost in her own world.
22. Sweet Dreams Are Made of This
Meaning: A reference to a famous song lyric, often used to wish someone goodnight.
In a Sentence: “Sweet dreams are made of this,” he whispered as he kissed her forehead before bedtime.
23. Dream State
Meaning: A state of consciousness between being awake and asleep, often associated with vivid dreaming.
In a Sentence: During that brief dream state, she saw a surreal world filled with colorful creatures.
24. Dream House
Meaning: Refers to the ideal and perfect home one desires.
In a Sentence: Their beachfront cottage was their dream house, with stunning ocean views.
25. Beyond the Dream
Meaning: Refers to something that surpasses even the most ambitious dreams.
In a Sentence: The success of their business went beyond the dream; it exceeded all expectations.
26. Dream Factory
Meaning: A place or industry that creates dreams, fantasies, or imaginative content.
In a Sentence: Hollywood is often called the dream factory, as it produces countless movies that transport audiences to different worlds.
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Here are 10 quiz questions about the idioms related to “dreams” discussed in the article:
Quiz 1: Pipe Dream
- What does the idiom “Pipe Dream” mean?
a) A dream that involves plumbing.
b) An unrealistic or unattainable dream or goal.
c) A dream related to smoking pipes.
Quiz 2: Living the Dream
- What does it mean when someone is “Living the Dream”?
a) They are in a deep sleep.
b) They are in an ideal or highly satisfying situation.
c) They are pursuing their wildest fantasies.
Quiz 3: Dream Big
- What is the advice conveyed by “Dream Big”?
a) To set ambitious goals and have high aspirations.
b) To have small, manageable dreams.
c) To stop dreaming altogether.
Quiz 4: Beyond Your Wildest Dreams
- How would you describe something that is “Beyond Your Wildest Dreams”?
a) Within the realm of possibility.
b) Surpasses all expectations or is even better than imagined.
c) Impossible to achieve.
Quiz 5: Dare to Dream
- What does the phrase “Dare to Dream” encourage?
a) To stop dreaming and be practical.
b) To have the courage to pursue one’s aspirations and goals.
c) To only have small dreams.
Quiz 6: Daydream Believer
- Who is described as a “Daydream Believer”?
a) Someone who believes in their night dreams.
b) Someone who indulges in pleasant or unrealistic daydreams.
c) Someone who believes in daydreaming as a waste of time.
Quiz 7: Lost in a Dream
- When is someone “Lost in a Dream”?
a) When they are confused.
b) When they are deeply engrossed in their thoughts or imagination.
c) When they are found in their dream house.
Quiz 8: Follow Your Dreams
- What does “Follow Your Dreams” encourage you to do?
a) To ignore your dreams.
b) To pursue your goals and ambitions.
c) To stop dreaming altogether.
Quiz 9: Sweet Dreams Are Made of This
- How is the phrase “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This” commonly used?
a) As a greeting when someone wakes up in the morning.
b) To wish someone a peaceful and pleasant night’s sleep.
c) As a warning about bad dreams.
Quiz 10: Dream Factory
- What is a “Dream Factory” often associated with?
a) A place where physical dreams are manufactured.
b) A place or industry that creates dreams, fantasies, or imaginative content.
c) A place where night dreams are analyzed.
Feel free to use these quiz questions to test your knowledge or the knowledge of others about the idioms related to “dreams” discussed in the article.
Conclusion
Idioms for dreams bring a touch of magic to our language, allowing us to express our desires, hopes, and imaginations with creativity. From “chasing a dream” to “living the dream,” these idioms make our conversations more vivid and meaningful.
