Common Dreams

The UK’s Most Common Dreams — And What They Really Mean

Monday 17th Nov 2025 |

The Nation’s Most Common Dreams (And Their Surprising Meanings)

A new study has uncovered the UK’s most common dreams, from sitting exams you haven’t revised for, to winning the lottery – or being chased by mysterious figures.

In fact, the study of 2,000 adults found that seven in ten Brits (71%) have regular vivid dreams.

Falling in love with a celebrity (20%), turning up naked in public (12%), being late for an important meeting (15%) and partners’ cheating (22%) all made the list of common night visions.

But the number one dream gripping the nation, was revealed as the terrible feeling of falling, experienced often, by a staggering 53% of Brits, according to the study.

Dream expert Delphi Ellis, explains, “The feeling of falling is a perfect metaphor for the world we’re living in today – like Alice going down the rabbit hole. It happens if we’re not sure where we’re going or where we’ll end up.

“It’s especially common after redundancy, retirement and other major life changes. The adventure awaits, but can be scary as we venture into the unknown. 

“It’s not to be confused with the “jolt” you might experience just as you’re drifting off though, as this can (ironically) be caused by over tiredness or point to signs of stress, so a bedtime routine that promotes relaxation is important.”

The study was commissioned by Netflix, to mark the launch of its new adventure film, In Your Dreams, which follows two siblings and their journey into the absurd landscape of their own dreams.

Delphi adds “Dreams are like a friend – they can softly nudge us in the direction of what we want, point us towards what might help us heal, or offer insight – even answers – into a problem that’s occupying our mind. It’s one reason we say, “sleep on it”. 

“Like a friend, we can choose to acknowledge or ignore them, it’s up to us what we do with the content of our dreams – but it’s always worth listening to what a dream has to say.”

Despite being a nation of dreamers, 44% of the 2,000 Britons surveyed, admit they struggle to remember what happened in them.

When it comes to WHO we dream about most, our other half (31%) came top – followed by a parent (27%) or an ex (17%).

Celebrities frequently appear in dreams, with BEYONCE being the most common (8%), followed by Taylor Swift (7%) and David Beckham (7%). 

One in ten (10%) say they constantly wake up convinced a dream was real, while 33% wake up cross with their partner for something which happened in a dream.

Overall, 50% said they have had a dream come true, or a premonition, while 70% of those polled say they have reoccurring dreams.

Yet, while we love to think about what our dreams mean, 37% admit there is nothing more boring than someone telling you in detail about a dream they had.

THE MOST COMMON DREAMS, AND WHAT THEY MEAN, ACCORDING TO DREAM EXPERT DELPHI ELLI…

  1. Falling – 53%

DREAM EXPERT DELPHI ELLI SAYS: Falling may reflect a feeling of uncertainty, especially after a life change. It’s especially common after redundancy, retirement, and other life changes; the adventure awaits, but can be scary as we venture into the unknown. 

  1. Unable to run while being pursued – 42%

DREAM EXPERT DELPHI ELLI SAYS: This can reflect someone not wanting to “get caught” but can also happen for people who are “catching up” at work, like after annual leave for example.  The feeling of not being able to run can symbolise  being “stuck” in a situation, that progress is too slow, or the fear that whatever it is will “catch up” with them.

  1. Your partner cheating on you –  22%

DREAM EXPERT DELPHI ELLI EXPLAINS: Dreaming about infidelity often signals a fear that it could occur, rather than serving as a warning that it already has, particularly for those who have experienced betrayal in the past.

  1. Someone dying – 21%

DREAM EXPERT DELPHI ELLI SAYS: Death in a dream is rarely about someone actually dying but may be more reflective of a change we’re witnessing in someone. This is common for parents who dream about their child – it really reflects the shift in relationship as they grow up and become more independent. That said, dreams can also reflect our waking fears, so if a person is frightened someone will change – this might be why they dream of that person dying.

  1. Your teeth falling out – 21%

DREAM EXPERT DELPHI ELLI SAYS: This dream is context dependent. For example, in the West we generally exchange our teeth for money when we are little, so in our adult dreams they may symbolise concerns around wealth or status. In some cultures, dreaming of teeth as they literally are (as bone) may symbolize anxiety about losing someone significant.  

  1. Getting together with a celebrity – 20%

DREAM EXPERT DELPHI ELLI SAYS: If we can relate to a particular celebrity’s struggle, or if we see someone in the spotlight as a role model, or if we admire them – we may dream about them as if they are closer to us than they really are

  1. Sitting an exam you haven’t revised for – 19%

DREAM EXPERT DELPHI ELLI SAYS: This points to feeling more generally unprepared, for example if a meeting or conversation is coming up, or has already happened, that you weren’t ready for, you may have the exam dream.  That said, exams usually happen at school, so they can also point to an echo of the stress – or period of learning – we were going through back then, harking back to past anxieties

  1. Flying/ floating in the air – 18%

DREAM EXPERT DELPHI ELLI SAYS: The meaning of this dream can depend on how the dreamer felt. If the dream is positive and they’re loving it – “flying high” may signify someone enjoying a period of success. If the sensation in the dream is negative, you may be at a time in your life where you feel you should be more sensible and keep their feet firmly on the ground.

  1. Friends and family being mean to you – 16%

DREAM EXPERT DELPHI ELLI SAYS: Because connection is essential for people, dreams where others act unkindly may point to anxieties about feeling isolated from your community.  If people are being mean, the dream may be a prompt to reconsider who we include in our circle.

  1. Being late for an important meeting – 15%

DREAM EXPERT DELPHI ELLI SAYS: In today’s world, it’s natural to fear being late, so this may be a literal dream reflecting what we worry could happen. That said, if someone feels like they’re always missing out, especially on the important stuff, this may reflect their current frustration.

  1. Finding money – 14%

DREAM EXPERT DELPHI ELLI SAYS: If a person has money worries, it makes sense for them to have this dream; wealth is subjective though, so the money may also be a symbol for something else the dreamer feels might improve their life.

  1. Being unable to find a loo – 12%.

DREAM EXPERT DELPHI ELLI SAYS: Apart from the obvious situation of needing the loo – this dream can signify you are in a time of your life where you lack privacy and searching for more private time, for example, being a new parent. Though it can also reflect the need to get rid of something bad in your life, to flush it away – but not knowing where or how

  1. Being naked in a public place – 12%

DREAM EXPERT DELPHI ELLI SAYS: This is actually a common dream among TV presenters. But to the general public, it may reflect the awareness of being “on show” or in the spotlight for some reason, whether you are the subject of gossip. It might also be that we’ve talked about something that left us feeling vulnerable.