Sleep is one of the most essential parts of human life, and naturally, language is full of colorful expressions to describe it. Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what their words suggest but carry a figurative meaning understood by native speakers.
For example, “hit the hay” doesn’t literally mean hitting hay but simply going to bed. Idioms about sleep and going to bed are widely used in daily conversations, casual chats, and even in literature. They make language richer, more fun, and easier to relate to.
When you learn idioms for going to bed, you gain the ability to sound more natural and expressive in English. Instead of just saying “I’m going to sleep,” you can say, “I’m calling it a night” or “I’m hitting the sack,”
which makes you sound more like a native speaker. Whether you want to sound casual with friends or write in a lively style, sleep-related idioms are a great addition to your vocabulary.
Did You Know?
The phrase “hit the hay” comes from the late 19th century when mattresses were often filled with hay. People would literally lie down on hay sacks, so going to bed naturally became “hitting the hay.”
Idioms About Going to Bed
Below is a collection of popular idioms for going to bed, organized into groups. Each idiom includes its meaning, an example, a similar phrase, and a note on usage.
Everyday Expressions About Going to Bed
Hit the sack
- Meaning: To go to bed.
- Example: I’m really tired, I think I’ll hit the sack early tonight.
- Similar Idiom: Hit the hay.
- Note: Very common in casual conversations.
Hit the hay
- Meaning: To sleep or rest.
- Example: It’s midnight already; time to hit the hay.
- Similar Idiom: Call it a night.
- Note: Informal, everyday phrase.
Call it a night
- Meaning: To stop activities and go to bed.
- Example: We’ve been studying for hours. Let’s call it a night.
- Similar Idiom: Turn in.
- Note: Used in friendly and professional contexts.
Turn in
- Meaning: To go to sleep.
- Example: I’m going to turn in now. See you in the morning.
- Similar Idiom: Retire for the night.
- Note: Slightly formal but still common.
Retire for the night
- Meaning: A polite way of saying go to bed.
- Example: After the party, the guests retired for the night.
- Similar Idiom: Turn in.
- Note: More formal, often found in writing or polite speech.
Get some shut-eye
- Meaning: To get some sleep.
- Example: You should get some shut-eye before your early meeting.
- Similar Idiom: Catch some Z’s.
- Note: Very informal and playful.
Catch some Z’s
- Meaning: To sleep.
- Example: He was catching some Z’s on the sofa.
- Similar Idiom: Get some shut-eye.
- Note: Informal, often used humorously.
Sack out
- Meaning: To fall asleep quickly.
- Example: I sacked out as soon as I got home.
- Similar Idiom: Crash out.
- Note: Informal, casual usage.
Idioms About Feeling Tired and Needing Sleep
Dead on one’s feet
- Meaning: Extremely tired and needing rest.
- Example: After working a double shift, I was dead on my feet.
- Similar Idiom: Dog-tired.
- Note: Common in spoken English.
Dog-tired
- Meaning: Very exhausted.
- Example: She was dog-tired after running the marathon.
- Similar Idiom: Worn out.
- Note: Informal, everyday use.
Bone-tired
- Meaning: Completely exhausted, even in your bones.
- Example: He was bone-tired after the long journey.
- Similar Idiom: Beat.
- Note: Slightly dramatic but common.
Beat
- Meaning: Very tired.
- Example: I’m beat, I need to sleep now.
- Similar Idiom: Worn out.
- Note: Short and informal.
Burnt out
- Meaning: Exhausted from overwork.
- Example: She’s burnt out after months of nonstop work.
- Similar Idiom: Wiped out.
- Note: Often used in professional and academic settings.
Worn out
- Meaning: Extremely tired.
- Example: I’m worn out after moving all those boxes.
- Similar Idiom: Dead tired.
- Note: Informal, daily life.
Sleepyhead
- Meaning: Someone who is very sleepy or loves sleeping.
- Example: Wake up, sleepyhead, it’s already noon!
- Similar Idiom: Drowsy.
- Note: Often playful or affectionate.
Idioms About Falling Asleep
Crash out
- Meaning: To fall asleep suddenly.
- Example: He crashed out on the couch after dinner.
- Similar Idiom: Sack out.
- Note: Informal, everyday life.
Doze off
- Meaning: To fall asleep unintentionally.
- Example: I dozed off during the movie.
- Similar Idiom: Nod off.
- Note: Common in casual contexts.
Nod off
- Meaning: To start falling asleep, especially sitting.
- Example: He nodded off while reading his book.
- Similar Idiom: Drift off.
- Note: Informal but widely used.
Drift off
- Meaning: To gradually fall asleep.
- Example: She drifted off while listening to soft music.
- Similar Idiom: Drop off.
- Note: Everyday English, often in storytelling.
Drop off
- Meaning: To fall asleep.
- Example: It took me a while to drop off last night.
- Similar Idiom: Drift off.
- Note: Informal, British English is common.
Lights out
- Meaning: Time to sleep.
- Example: Okay kids, it’s lights out in ten minutes.
- Similar Idiom: Bedtime.
- Note: Often used with children or military contexts.
Out like a light
- Meaning: To fall asleep instantly.
- Example: As soon as he lay down, he was out like a light.
- Similar Idiom: Fast asleep.
- Note: Very common and casual.
Idioms About Bedtime and Night
Beauty sleep
- Meaning: Sleep needed to stay healthy and look fresh.
- Example: I need my beauty sleep before tomorrow’s meeting.
- Similar Idiom: Good night’s rest.
- Note: Often playful, sometimes serious.
Sleep tight
- Meaning: A way of wishing someone a good night.
- Example: Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite.
- Similar Idiom: Sweet dreams.
- Note: Friendly, affectionate, usually with children.
Sweet dreams
- Meaning: A nice way of saying good night.
- Example: Good night, sweet dreams.
- Similar Idiom: Sleep tight.
- Note: Common in families or close relationships.
Night owl
- Meaning: A person who stays up late at night.
- Example: She’s a night owl and works best after midnight.
- Similar Idiom: Late sleeper.
- Note: Describes habits, not just one night.
Early bird
- Meaning: A person who wakes up early.
- Example: My dad is an early bird who rises at 5 a.m.
- Similar Idiom: Morning person.
- Note: Often used in contrast with night owl.
Sleep like a baby
- Meaning: To sleep very well.
- Example: I slept like a baby after the long hike.
- Similar Idiom: Sleep like a log.
- Note: Common, informal.
Sleep like a log
- Meaning: To sleep deeply without waking up.
- Example: He slept like a log through the thunderstorm.
- Similar Idiom: Out like a light.
- Note: Informal, very common.
Forty winks
- Meaning: A short nap.
- Example: I’ll grab forty winks before the meeting.
- Similar Idiom: Power nap.
- Note: Informal, often British English.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
- In speaking: Instead of always saying “I’m tired,” you can say “I’m beat” or “I’m dead on my feet.” This makes your English sound natural.
- In writing: When writing stories, idioms like “drifted off” or “out like a light” bring scenes to life.
- In professional settings: Phrases like “call it a night” or “retire for the night” are polite and professional for workplace conversations.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Wrong usage: I hit the sack of clothes.
Correct: I hit the sack after work.
(Learners sometimes take idioms literally.) - Mixing idioms incorrectly: I’m dead on the hay.
Correct: I’m dead on my feet OR I’m hitting the hay.
(Idioms can’t be mixed randomly.) - Using formal idioms in casual talk: Saying I shall retire for the night among friends may sound unnatural. Instead say I’m going to bed.
FAQs
1. What does “hit the sack” mean?
It means to go to bed or sleep. It’s a very common informal expression.
2. Is “sleep tight” formal or informal?
It’s informal, often used to wish friends, children, or loved ones a good night.
3. Can I use idioms like “dog-tired” in professional English?
Yes, but use them carefully. In very formal situations, it’s better to say “exhausted” instead of “dog-tired.”
4. What’s the difference between “drift off” and “nod off”?
“Drift off” means to gradually fall asleep, while “nod off” usually means falling asleep suddenly, often while sitting.
5. Why should I learn idioms for going to bed?
They make your English sound more natural, help you understand native speakers better, and add variety to your conversations.
Conclusion
Idioms for going to bed add color and expression to everyday English. From “hit the hay” to “sleep like a log,” these phrases capture the universal human experience of needing rest.
Whether you’re describing your exhaustion, wishing someone sweet dreams, or talking about falling asleep suddenly, these idioms will make your English sound lively and authentic.
By practicing them in daily life, you’ll grow more confident and fluent. So next time you’re tired, don’t just say “I’m going to bed”—try one of these idioms and sound like a native speaker!
