Meaning

"In your dreams" means "That will never happen, except in your imagination." Someone says something they want to be true, and you tell them the only place it's real is in their dreams. "I'll be taller than you by summer." "In your dreams."

It's a teasing, sarcastic reply, a close relative of "You wish". The difference is strength: "In your dreams" is a little more mocking, because it says the idea is pure fantasy. Between friends and siblings it's playful fun. With anyone you don't know well, it can land as a put-down.

Don't use it at work, even about small things. If a coworker suggests something unlikely, "I wouldn't bet on it" or "That seems unlikely" keeps the doubt without the mockery. It's also not a romantic phrase; "I see you in my dreams" is something else entirely.

In a conversation

PoppyLucas
  1. Poppy
  2. Lucas
  3. Poppy
  4. Lucas
  5. Poppy

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Check yourself

1You tell your brother "I'll win the race," and he says "In your dreams." What does he mean?
2How is "In your dreams" different from "You wish"?

Practice · 3 min

Listen, then repeat. Stress "dreams" and drag it out a little. The longer the word, the bigger the tease.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.