dream off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dream off" is not correct and not commonly used in written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of drifting off into a dream or daydreaming, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "As I lay on the couch, I began to dream off into a peaceful slumber."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"I think to finish the dream off, it was to stay here in this city and coach here".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's what you dream off to play for your country," Briggs told BBC Sport.

BBC

And if that is not enough.. we have all the music you can dream off along side a 1AM PANCAKE EATING COMPETITION WITH A £100 CASH PRIZE!

Vice

I got my opportunity to play in the NRL and fulfil a life's dream off the back of that and it's worked really well for me".

The Guardian - Sport

While Ms. Hoffman was in "The American Dream" off Broadway, in a double bill of one-acts with Mr. Albee's "Bartleby," she was also on Broadway in "Rhinoceros" at the Longacre Theater, but only in the first act.

The New York Times - Arts

Since the two stars last played Broadway, Ms. Duncan, who is 51, has appeared with some regularity in the New York theater, on Broadway in 1996 in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Off Broadway subsequently in Harold Pinter's "Ashes to Ashes" and, last summer, in a Pinter double bill, "Celebration" and "The Room".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"I have been robbed by drugs cheats, but am fortunate, I am here with more in my basket and more jerseys than I dreamed off as a 12-year-old girl," Cooke told The Telegraph.

Huffington Post

Still, it is best to learn the dreams off by heart as this will make the querents much more confident taking advice from you.

WikiHow

All adults dream of time off from their kids.

The Guardian - Travel

Instead, the Brewers can dream of building off their first division title in 29 years.

The New York Times - Sports

Some dream of showing off or sticking it to people they don't like.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "dream off" in formal writing. Instead, opt for more common and grammatically correct alternatives like "drift off", "doze off", or "fall asleep" to describe the act of transitioning into sleep. To describe beginning to achieve a dream use "get a dream off the ground".

Common error

The error with "dream off" often stems from incorrectly applying a preposition to the verb "dream". While "off" can indicate separation or starting, it doesn't logically fit with the act of dreaming. Stick to established phrasal verbs or use "dream of" for related contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dream off" functions primarily as a verb phrase, though its usage is non-standard. The examples provided by Ludwig suggest it's often intended to convey drifting into a dream state or starting a project, but Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "dream off" appears in various contexts, it is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI. It's often used informally to describe falling asleep or beginning to realize a project. For formal writing, it is best to use alternatives like "drift off" or "get a dream off the ground". The expression is most common in news and media sources. Despite its frequency, it's advisable to avoid "dream off" in formal or academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drift off to sleep

This alternative focuses on the transition into sleep, where dreams occur.

doze off

This alternative implies a light sleep or a state between wakefulness and sleep.

fall asleep

This option is a straightforward way of expressing the beginning of sleep.

zone out

This alternative captures the idea of detaching from reality and entering a dreamy state of mind.

daydream

This alternative emphasizes waking fantasies and imaginative thoughts.

fantasize

This option highlights the act of creating elaborate mental scenarios.

imagine

This alternative emphasizes the mental creation of scenarios, often positive or desired.

launch a dream

This alternative focuses on initiating or starting a project or ambition.

get a dream off the ground

This alternative refers to the action of starting or implementing a plan or project.

make a dream a reality

This alternative suggests the action of transforming an idea or aspiration into something tangible.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "dream off"?

No, the phrase "dream off" is not considered standard English. It's more appropriate to use phrases like "drift off to sleep" or "fall asleep" when referring to the beginning of sleep.

What's a better way to say "dream off"?

Instead of "dream off", you can use alternatives such as "drift off", "doze off", or "fall asleep" to describe falling asleep. To describe starting to achieve a dream use "get a dream off the ground".

How can I use "get a dream off the ground" in a sentence?

You can say, "She worked tirelessly to get a dream off the ground", meaning she was trying to start or realize her ambition.

What's the difference between "dream of" and "dream off"?

"Dream of" means to have a dream about something or to aspire to something. "Dream off" is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase in English. For example: "I "dream of" traveling the world" is correct. "I dream off traveling the world" is incorrect.