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dream on

B1 informal intransitive
In simple words

What you say to tell someone they are wishing for something that will never happen.

Literal meaning: To continue dreaming — but the idiomatic meaning is the opposite: 'stop dreaming, it won't happen'.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

Used to tell someone, often sarcastically, that what they hope for will not happen.

"'Maybe the boss will give us all a bonus this year.' 'Dream on!'"

Usage notes

Almost always used as a stand-alone exclamation in response to something someone has said. Tone ranges from playful teasing to dismissive sarcasm. Not typically used as a literal suggestion to continue dreaming.

Commonly used with

yeah right fat chance no way in your dreams wishful thinking

Forms

Base
dream on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dreams on
he/she/it
Past simple
dreamed on
yesterday
Past participle
dreamed on
have + pp
-ing form
dreaming on
continuous

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