nightmare
/'naitmeə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A terrifying or deeply upsetting dream: A "nightmare" is a frightening dream that often causes strong feelings of fear, anxiety, or distress, sometimes waking the sleeper.
- A situation resembling a terrifying dream: A "nightmare" can also describe a real-life experience, event, or situation that is intensely frightening, unpleasant, chaotic, or difficult to endure.
Examples of Usage
Noun (Dream):
- I had a horrible nightmare about being chased last night.
- Waking up from a nightmare can leave you feeling shaken.
Noun (Situation):
- The traffic jam was an absolute nightmare; we were stuck for hours.
- Organizing the event without a proper team turned into a logistical nightmare.
Advanced Usage
"A living nightmare": An extremely distressing real-life situation that feels as bad as a bad dream.
- Losing his job and his home in the same week was a living nightmare.
"To be a nightmare to do something": Used to describe a task that is very difficult, frustrating, or unpleasant.
- This old software is a nightmare to install on a new computer.
Variants and Related Words
- Nightmarish (adj): Having the qualities of a nightmare; extremely frightening or unpleasant.
- The accident scene was a nightmarish sight.
Synonyms
- Bad dream: A less intense synonym for the sleeping experience.
- Ordeal: A difficult or painful experience (for the situational meaning).
- Horror: Something that causes intense fear or shock.
Related Phrases
- To have a nightmare about (something/someone): To dream a bad dream concerning a specific subject.
- She often has nightmares about her exams.
Related Idioms
- "A recipe for a nightmare": A combination of factors that is very likely to create a terrible situation.
- Mixing those two rival groups at the party is a recipe for a nightmare.
Noun
- a terrifying or deeply upsetting dream
- a situation resembling a terrifying dream