bad dream
n. countable A1 Beginner
n. a frightening or unpleasant dream that makes you feel scared, sad, or worried while you sleep.
n. an unpleasant or frightening sequence of images and emotions experienced during sleep. Often used as a less formal synonym for nightmare.
The child woke up crying after having a bad dream.
I had a bad dream about failing my exams, even though I graduated years ago.
Distinguishing between a standard bad dream and a clinical night terror is essential for determining the appropriate psychological intervention for disrupted sleep cycles.
Usage
Frequently precedes the verb 'to have' as the direct object.
Pitfall
I saw a bad dreamI had a bad dreamIn English, dreams are 'had' or 'experienced', not 'seen' as they might be in other languages.