What Does “Dream sth away” Mean?
“Dream sth away” means to spend time thinking about or imagining something pleasant instead of focusing on reality or tasks.
Introduction
The phrase “dream sth away” is a useful phrasal verb in English that describes the act of passing time by daydreaming or imagining something enjoyable. When someone dreams something away, they are often lost in their thoughts or fantasies, sometimes ignoring what is happening around them. The “dream sth away” meaning highlights a kind of escapism, where “sth” stands for “something” and can be replaced by the object of the dream or imagination. This expression is common in both spoken and written English, especially when describing moments of distraction or relaxation.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: dream sth away (dream something away)
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to spend time imagining or daydreaming instead of doing something useful
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Dream sth away” is a transitive phrasal verb, meaning it requires a direct object (something to dream away). The structure is separable, so you can place the object between “dream” and “away” or after “away.”
- dream something away
- dream away something
Examples:
- She dreamed her afternoon away.
- He dreamed away the hours waiting for the bus.
How to Use “Dream sth away”?
You can use “dream sth away” to describe spending time lost in pleasant thoughts or fantasies instead of focusing on tasks or reality. It often implies that the time is passing without productive activity, but it can also suggest relaxation or mental escape. Use it in past, present, or future tenses to fit the context.
Examples
Imagine someone sitting by a window, watching the rain and thinking about a holiday. They might be dreaming their afternoon away.
- She dreamed her weekend away, imagining her next big adventure.
- Don’t just dream your life away; take action to reach your goals.
- He dreamed the morning away, lost in memories of his childhood.
- They dreamed away the hours, talking about their future plans.
These examples show how “dream sth away” describes spending time in daydreams or imagination.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse “dream sth away” with other similar expressions or use it without an object, which is incorrect because it is a transitive phrasal verb.
- Incorrect: She dreamed away all day.
- Correct: She dreamed her day away.
- Incorrect: They dream away the time. (less common)
- Correct: They dreamed the time away.
Remember to include an object after “dream” for correct usage.
Differences / Synonyms
“Dream sth away” is similar to “while away” or “kill time,” but with a focus on imagination rather than just passing time.
- While away: to spend time in a relaxed way, not necessarily daydreaming.
- Kill time: to do something unproductive to pass time.
- Dream sth away: to spend time imagining or daydreaming, often pleasantly.
Use “dream sth away” when you want to emphasize the imaginative or fantasy aspect.
Common Collocations
Certain objects often appear with “dream sth away,” usually referring to periods of time or abstract concepts:
- Dream the afternoon away – spend the afternoon daydreaming.
- Dream the hours away – spend hours imagining or thinking.
- Dream your life away – spend life lost in dreams rather than reality.
- Dream the morning away – imagine or daydream during the morning.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of dream sth away:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “dream sth away”:
Anna: What did you do this afternoon?
Ben: Honestly, I just dreamed my afternoon away, thinking about my vacation.
Anna: That sounds relaxing! Sometimes we all need that break.
Practice
Complete the sentence with the correct form of “dream sth away”:
- She _______ the whole afternoon _______ thinking about her future.
- They often _______ the hours _______ when waiting for the train.
Answers:
- dreamed / away
- dream / away
FAQs
- Q: Can I use “dream away” without an object?
A: No, “dream sth away” requires an object to be grammatically correct.
- Q: Is “dream sth away” formal or informal?
A: It is more informal and used in everyday spoken or written English.
- Q: Can “dream sth away” be used in the present tense?
A: Yes, you can say “dream the time away” or “dreaming the time away.”
- Q: What does “sth” mean in “dream sth away”?
A: “Sth” is short for “something,” meaning you replace it with a specific object.
- Q: Is “dream away” the same as “daydream”?
A: They are similar, but “dream sth away” focuses on passing time in imagination, while “daydream” is the act of having pleasant thoughts.
