To wake up from a nightmare; figuratively, to come to one's senses or shake off a distressing illusion.
昨夜、悪夢から覚めて汗でびっしょりになった。
Last night I woke up from a nightmare and was soaked in sweat.
彼は詐欺に気づかず大金を失いかけたが、友人の忠告で悪夢から覚めた。
He was nearly swindled out of a lot of money, but his friend's warning made him come to his senses.
子どもは夜中に悪夢から覚めると、母親の腕に飛びついた。
When the child woke from a nightmare in the night, he clung to his mother's arms.
長年の不正が暴かれ、国民はようやく悪夢から覚めた。
After long-running corruption was exposed, the public finally came to its senses.