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[1227] In your dreams

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English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • An expression used to tell someone that what they want or expect is very unlikely or impossible to happen.
  • Similar to saying That will never happen or Keep dreaming.

Origin

  • Refers to the idea that the desired scenario is so unrealistic it could only occur in a dream, not in reality.
  • A common idiomatic phrase.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Not gonna happen.
  • Keep dreaming.
  • You wish!
  • Fat chance. (Meaning very little likelihood)
  • When pigs fly. (Idiom for impossibility)
  • Get real.
  • As if! (Dated)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Yeah, right. (Sarcastic)
  • Not happening.
  • Dream on.

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Not a fucking chance. / No fucking way.
  • Like hell that'll happen.

Milder/Standard/More Polite:

  • That seems highly unlikely.
  • I wouldn't count on that.
  • Let's be realistic.
  • That might be overly optimistic.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal.
  • Often used playfully among friends, but can be dismissive or rude if said unkindly.
  • Generally inappropriate in formal or professional settings due to its dismissive nature.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • The literal meaning is clear (only possible in dreams). Learners need to understand it's used idiomatically to mean very unlikely or impossible in reality, and that its tone can range from playful teasing to sharp dismissal.

Examples

  • Person A: I bet I'll get promoted to CEO next year. Person B: In your dreams!
  • Person A: Maybe she'll ask me out. Person B: In your dreams, buddy.
  • Child: Can I have five more cookies? Parent: In your dreams.

Dialogue

Leo: I'm totally going to convince the boss to give us all a four-day work week.

Mia: In your dreams, Leo! She'll never go for that.

Leo: Hey, it's worth a try!

Mia: Good luck with that!

Social Media Examples

  • Reply to someone hoping for an unlikely event: You think tickets for that concert will be cheap? In your dreams! 😂
  • Comment on a wishful post: Winning the lottery jackpot? In your dreams, but good luck anyway! #WishfulThinking
  • Playful response to a friend's ambitious claim: You'll beat my high score? In your dreams! 😉

Response Patterns

  • Can be met with laughter if said playfully.
  • Can provoke defensiveness or disappointment (Hey!, Why not?).
  • Might be met with a resigned sigh or agreement (Yeah, I know...).

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • The person saying In your dreams might soften it with a reason (She's already dating someone) or keep it light (Keep dreaming!).
  • The person hearing it might challenge it (You never know!) or accept it (A guy can dream, right?).

Conversation Starter

  • No. It's a response dismissing someone else's hopes or expectations.

Intonation

  • Often delivered with a scoffing, teasing, or dismissive tone.
  • Can be playful or sharp depending on context.
  • Emphasis often on your. In YOUR dreams.

Generation Differences

  • Commonly understood and used across most age groups.

Regional Variations

  • Common in all major English-speaking regions.
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