- A sarcastic and dismissive response to someone expressing an unrealistic hope, wish, or plan.
- It implies That's never going to happen, so keep dreaming.
Explanation
Origin
- Fairly straightforward meaning continue dreaming, implying the idea is only possible in a dream, not reality.
- Popularized by the Aerosmith song Dream On (1973), though the phrase likely existed before.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Keep dreaming, chief. (Slightly mocking)
- As if! (Dated, 90s slang derived from the movie Clueless, but conveys similar dismissal)
- Good luck with that. (Can be sincere or sarcastic depending on tone)
Milder:
- That seems unlikely.
- Let's be realistic.
- That might be difficult to achieve. (More diplomatic)
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal and sarcastic.
- Can be lighthearted between friends, but can also sound condescending or discouraging.
- Avoid using it about genuinely important hopes unless you know the person very well.
- Avoid in formal/professional settings.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Learners should understand it's sarcastic and dismissive, not genuine encouragement to dream.
- The tone is crucial.
Examples
- A: Maybe I'll become a famous movie star! B: Yeah, dream on.
- A: I'm hoping the boss will give me a 50% raise. B: Dream on, buddy.
- A: If I buy this lottery ticket, I might win millions! B: Dream on.
Dialogue
Liam: I'm going to ask Jennifer Lawrence out on a date next time I'm in LA.
Chloe: (Smiling wryly) Dream on, Liam.
Liam: What? Maybe she's looking for a charming, regular guy!
Chloe: Keep dreaming. Maybe start with someone not world-famous?
Social Media Examples
- Post: Manifesting a lottery win this weekend! ✨ Comment: Dream on 😂 But good luck anyway!
- Tweet: My plan: Retire at 30. Reply: Dream on. #studentloans #realitycheck
- Meme: [Picture of someone looking hopeful] Caption: Me thinking I'll finish all my tasks today. Overlay text: Dream on.
Response Patterns
- The hopeful person might become defensive: Hey, it could happen!
- They might laugh it off: Haha, I know, but let me dream!
- They might feel deflated or annoyed.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After hearing Dream on:
- The person told to dream on might ask Why do you say that? or challenge the pessimism.
- The person saying dream on might elaborate on why they think it's unrealistic. A 50% raise? Dream on. They barely gave 3% last year.
- Often, the conversation about that specific hope ends there.
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Always a response to an expressed hope or plan.
Intonation
- Usually said with a sarcastic, slightly mocking, or pitying tone.
- Stress often on on. Dream ON. Can also be flat and dismissive.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used across generations, though the level of sarcasm intended can vary.
Regional Variations
- Common in most English-speaking regions.