dream up
B2Informal to neutral; common in both spoken and written language.
Definition
Meaning
To invent or conceive of something imaginative or unusual, often in a fanciful or creative way.
To devise a plan, idea, or story, typically one that is elaborate, ingenious, or sometimes impractical.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The phrasal verb carries a nuance of creativity and invention, often from one's imagination. It can be used positively (admiring ingenuity) or negatively (suggesting implausibility or fabrication).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Minor potential differences in the typical collocates or frequency of use in specific domains.
Connotations
Slight tendency in British English for more ironic or sceptical usage (e.g., 'What nonsense have you dreamed up now?'). In American English, perhaps a slightly stronger association with entrepreneurial or marketing innovation.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] dream up [Direct Object]To dream up something [for someone]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “dream up a storm (rare, informal)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for innovative marketing ideas or new product concepts (e.g., 'The team dreamed up a revolutionary loyalty scheme.').
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing; may appear in humanities discussing creative processes or fictional constructs.
Everyday
Common for discussing spontaneous or imaginative ideas, plans, or excuses.
Technical
Not typically used in hard technical fields; more likely in creative industries like design, advertising, or software brainstorming.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The children dreamed up a fantastic story about a dragon in the garden.
- Who on earth dreamed up this ludicrous administrative procedure?
American English
- The marketing team needs to dream up a fresh campaign for the product launch.
- She can dream up an excuse faster than anyone I know.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My brother dreamed up a funny game for us to play.
- She dreamed up a new ending for the film.
- The writer dreamed up an entire world for her fantasy novel.
- We need to dream up a better name for our team.
- The architects dreamed up a radical design for the eco-friendly house.
- Politicians often dream up elaborate promises during election campaigns.
- The startup's founders dreamed up a disruptive business model that challenged the entire industry.
- Critics accused the government of dreaming up a crisis to justify its new policies.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a lightbulb appearing above someone's head while they are asleep and dreaming—they 'dream up' a new idea.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE OBJECTS MANUFACTURED IN THE MIND / CREATIVITY IS A DREAM STATE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from 'мечтать' (to dream/hope). 'Dream up' is about active creation, not passive wishing. Equivalent phrases are 'придумать', 'создать (в воображении)', 'сфабриковать'.
- Do not confuse with 'dream about' (видеть сон о) or 'dream of' (мечтать о).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *'I dreamed up about a solution.' (Correct: 'I dreamed up a solution.')
- Incorrect: *'He dreams up to start a business.' (Correct: 'He dreams up a plan to start a business.')
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'dream up' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral to informal. It's common in everyday speech and writing but might be replaced with 'devise' or 'conceive' in very formal academic or official documents.
Yes. While it often describes creative invention, it can imply that the idea is unrealistic, fabricated, or deceitful, as in 'dreaming up an excuse' or 'dreaming up a conspiracy theory.'
They are similar, but 'make up' is broader and more common for lies or stories (e.g., 'make up a lie'). 'Dream up' emphasizes the imaginative, inventive, and sometimes elaborate nature of the creation.
All common tenses are used: present (dream/dreams up), past (dreamed/dreamt up), present perfect (has/have dreamed up), continuous (is/are dreaming up). Both 'dreamed' (more common in AmE) and 'dreamt' (more common in BrE) are acceptable as the past form.