Living in a dream world

Origin

From ancient times, dreams have been seen as gateways to other realms—places of wish fulfillment or terrifying visions, distinct from our waking reality. As language evolved, the 'dream world' became a metaphorical space, a psychological refuge. By the 20th century, this phrase crystalized, particularly after Freud popularized dream analysis, solidifying the idea of an internal, often fantastical, landscape. To be 'living in a dream world' thus became the perfect idiom for someone so engrossed in their own optimistic fantasies that they've lost touch with the gritty, often inconvenient truths of real life, creating their own self-imposed, unrealistic reality.