English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Nightmare dressed like a daydream
Meaning
The idiom "nightmare dressed like a daydream" is used to describe something that seems like a dream or a pleasant fantasy, but turns out to be a nightmare. It suggests that an experience that started out as enjoyable or peaceful quickly turned into something unpleasant or frightening.
Usage
- I thought the vacation would be a dream come true, but it turned out to be a nightmare dressed like a daydream.
- The honeymoon was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it quickly turned into a nightmare dressed like a daydream.
- He had always imagined that starting his own business would be a dream come true, but it turned out to be a nightmare dressed like a daydream.
- I thought the concert would be a great way to spend a weekend, but it quickly turned into a nightmare dressed like a daydream.
- The new employee seemed like a perfect fit for the company, but they soon proved to be a nightmare dressed like a daydream.
Roots and History
The idiom "nightmare dressed like a daydream" is a relatively new phrase, first appearing in the English language in the 20th century. It likely originated as a metaphorical way of describing an experience that seemed pleasant or enjoyable at first, but quickly turned out to be something negative or unpleasant. The idiom has become more popular in recent years with the rise of social media and online experiences that can appear perfect on the surface but often turn out to be anything but.
Synonyms in English
- Dreamy nightmare
- Fantasy gone wrong
- Beautiful disaster
- Perfectly horrendous
- Happy horror story
Synonyms in other languages
- Spanish: La pesadilla de un sueño
- French: Le rêve d'un cauchemar
- German: Der Traum vom Alptraum
- Italian: Il sogno di un incubo
- Portuguese: O sonho do pesadão