"to be a nightmare" / "What a nightmare!"

Meaning: a situation, event, thing or person that is terrible and hard to deal with

Similar Expressions

• My job interview was a nightmare.
• My job interview was a disaster.
• My job interview was terrible.
• My job interview didn't go well.

When do we use it?

This expression compares something bad or hard in our real life to a bad dream. Basically, something is so awful that it seems like a bad dream (a nightmare).

We use this interesting expression to describe a bad situation, event, or thing.

• The project was a nightmare.
• Working at this company is a nightmare.
The party was a nightmare.

We can also use it to describe a person who is very difficult to work or deal with.

• My son is a nightmare when he is sleepy. He cries and yells.
• She is a nightmare to work with. She is not a team player.

How do we use it?

Use this expression after a "be verb" or in other ways that a noun is used.

• My boss is a nightmare to work for.
• My hair is a nightmare today.
• All the flights are canceled because of the storm. What a nightmare!

Example English Conversation

A) How did your date go?
B) It was a total nightmare.
A) Why was it a total nightmare?
B) The guy was not my style and he left without telling me, so I had to pay the bill!

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