wouldn't dream of

Idioms

Also, not dream of. Not occur to one, not consider, as in Even if it were lying open on my desk, I wouldn't dream of reading another person's letter. This expression uses dream of in the sense of “remotely think of.” [First half of 1500s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The end result fits in well on Simpson’s bill of fare, which is so traditional that King says they wouldn’t dream of calling it anything as newfangled as a menu.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

We wouldn’t dream of making snarky comments about their lives/choices, we would just like them to stop making them about ours.

From Slate • May 12, 2023

I wouldn’t dream of not ordering nham kao tod.

From Washington Post • Apr. 7, 2023

"I wouldn't dream of going back to cash and all the faff at the checkout."

From BBC • May 20, 2022

“I wouldn’t dream of blaming you for what happened to Papa. Ever.”

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023