Sleep is something we all need. It helps our bodies rest and gives our brains time to recharge. People talk about sleep in many different ways. Sometimes, they use special phrases called idioms. These are not meant to be taken exactly as they sound. For example, “hit the hay” doesn’t mean someone is really hitting hay t means they are going to bed.
In this article, we will look at idioms that are all about sleeping. You’ll learn what each one means and how to use it in everyday talk. These idioms can make your writing and speaking more fun. After that, you’ll get a short quiz to check how much you remember. Let’s get started and explore these sleep sayings together.
Idioms about Sleeping
1. Hit the hay
Meaning: Go to bed.
Sample Sentences: I’m tired, so I’ll hit the hay early tonight. / After dinner, Dad hit the hay.
Other Way to Say: Go to sleep / Turn in
2. Hit the sack
Meaning: Go to bed.
Sample Sentences: Time to hit the sack, it’s getting late. / She hit the sack right after homework.
Other Way to Say: Head to bed / Call it a night
3. Catch some Z’s
Meaning: Get some sleep.
Sample Sentences: I need to catch some Z’s before the game. / He caught some Z’s on the bus.
Other Way to Say: Rest / Nap
4. Out like a light
Meaning: Fell asleep quickly.
Sample Sentences: After the hike, she was out like a light. / He was out like a light after watching TV.
Other Way to Say: Fell asleep fast / Knocked out
5. Sleep like a log
Meaning: Sleep very deeply.
Sample Sentences: I slept like a log last night. / She always sleeps like a log on weekends.
Other Way to Say: Deep sleep / Rested well
6. Sawing logs
Meaning: Snoring loudly.
Sample Sentences: Grandpa was sawing logs on the couch. / I heard someone sawing logs in the tent.
Other Way to Say: Snoring / Making sleep sounds
7. Forty winks
Meaning: A short nap.
Sample Sentences: I took forty winks after school. / Dad had forty winks during the movie.
Other Way to Say: Nap / Quick rest
8. Sleep on it
Meaning: Wait until the next day to decide.
Sample Sentences: Let’s sleep on it and choose tomorrow. / I slept on it and picked the red bike.
Other Way to Say: Think overnight / Decide later
9. Lose sleep over
Meaning: Worry a lot.
Sample Sentences: Don’t lose sleep over the quiz. / I lost sleep over the broken tablet.
Other Way to Say: Worry / Stress out
10. Hit the pillow
Meaning: Lie down to sleep.
Sample Sentences: I hit the pillow and fell asleep fast. / Once he hit the pillow, he was snoring.
Other Way to Say: Lie down / Go to bed
11. Nod off
Meaning: Fall asleep without meaning to.
Sample Sentences: I nodded off in the car. / She nodded off while reading.
Other Way to Say: Doze off / Drift to sleep
12. Sleep tight
Meaning: Sleep well.
Sample Sentences: Good night, sleep tight! / Mom said “sleep tight” before leaving.
Other Way to Say: Rest well / Sweet dreams
13. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: Stay up very late working or studying.
Sample Sentences: I burned the midnight oil to finish the project. / She burns the midnight oil for homework.
Other Way to Say: Stay up late / Work into the night
14. Rise and shine
Meaning: Wake up and get going.
Sample Sentences: Rise and shine, it’s morning! / Dad says “rise and shine” every day.
Other Way to Say: Wake up / Time to get up
15. Toss and turn
Meaning: Can’t fall asleep.
Sample Sentences: I tossed and turned all night. / He kept tossing and turning before the trip.
Other Way to Say: Restless sleep / Couldn’t get comfy
16. Out cold
Meaning: Deeply asleep.
Sample Sentences: After soccer, he was out cold. / I was out cold until breakfast.
Other Way to Say: Fast asleep / Deep sleep
17. Doze off
Meaning: Start to sleep.
Sample Sentences: She dozed off on the couch. / I dozed off during the movie.
Other Way to Say: Fell asleep / Nodded off
18. Call it a night
Meaning: Stop and go to bed.
Sample Sentences: I’m tired, let’s call it a night. / He called it a night after dinner.
Other Way to Say: Go to bed / Turn in
19. Turn in
Meaning: Go to sleep.
Sample Sentences: I turned in at 9 PM. / She turns in early on weekdays.
Other Way to Say: Hit the sack / Go to sleep
20. Crash
Meaning: Sleep suddenly because of tiredness.
Sample Sentences: I crashed on the couch after the hike. / He crashed right after school.
Other Way to Say: Fell asleep fast / Knocked out
21. Sleep in
Meaning: Wake up later than usual.
Sample Sentences: I slept in on Saturday. / She likes to sleep in during breaks.
Other Way to Say: Sleep late / Get up late
22. Catnap
Meaning: A short, light nap.
Sample Sentences: I took a catnap before dinner. / He had a catnap on the bus.
Other Way to Say: Quick nap / Rest
23. Dead to the world
Meaning: Sleeping very deeply.
Sample Sentences: She was dead to the world after practice. / I was dead to the world last night.
Other Way to Say: Fast asleep / Deep sleep
24. Lights out
Meaning: Time to go to bed.
Sample Sentences: At camp, lights out is at 9. / Mom said “lights out!” after the movie.
Other Way to Say: Bedtime / Time to sleep
25. Sleepyhead
Meaning: Someone who is sleepy or slow to wake up.
Sample Sentences: Wake up, sleepyhead! / He’s a sleepyhead on school days.
Other Way to Say: Sleepy person / Late riser
26. Bed of roses (used negatively with sleep)
Meaning: Not easy or comfortable.
Sample Sentences: Sleeping on the floor wasn’t a bed of roses. / The trip wasn’t a bed of roses with no bed.
Other Way to Say: Not comfy / Not easy
27. Catch up on sleep
Meaning: Get extra rest after being tired.
Sample Sentences: I caught up on sleep this weekend. / She’s catching up on sleep after the trip.
Other Way to Say: Rest more / Sleep extra
28. Sawing wood
Meaning: Snoring while sleeping.
Sample Sentences: Dad was sawing wood on the couch. / My brother saws wood every night.
Other Way to Say: Snoring / Loud sleeping
29. Morning person
Meaning: Someone who likes waking up early.
Sample Sentences: She’s a morning person always cheerful at 6 AM. / I’m not a morning person at all!
Other Way to Say: Early riser / Loves mornings
30. Night owl
Meaning: Someone who stays up late.
Sample Sentences: I’m a night owl, always awake past midnight. / He’s a night owl who reads all night.
Other Way to Say: Late sleeper / Likes the night
31. Dreamland
Meaning: A place in your dreams.
Sample Sentences: He’s off to dreamland. / She smiled in dreamland.
Other Way to Say: Sleep time / Dream world
32. Bed down
Meaning: Get ready to sleep somewhere.
Sample Sentences: We bedded down in the tent. / The dog bedded down in the corner.
Other Way to Say: Settle in / Lie down to sleep
33. Shut-eye
Meaning: Sleep or rest.
Sample Sentences: I need some shut-eye. / He got some shut-eye before the game.
Other Way to Say: Sleep / Rest
34. Sleep over
Meaning: Spend the night at someone’s home.
Sample Sentences: I had a sleepover at my friend’s house. / We planned a sleepover for Friday.
Other Way to Say: Overnight stay / Stay the night
35. Tuck in
Meaning: Cover someone in bed, ready for sleep.
Sample Sentences: Mom tucked me in with my blanket. / Dad tucked in my sister every night.
Other Way to Say: Cover up / Get cozy in bed
36. Up all night
Meaning: Did not sleep at all.
Sample Sentences: I was up all night watching movies. / He stayed up all night before the test.
Other Way to Say: No sleep / Stayed awake
37. Fall asleep
Meaning: Start sleeping.
Sample Sentences: I fell asleep in the car. / She fell asleep during the story.
Other Way to Say: Dozed off / Drifted to sleep
38. Sleep in peace
Meaning: Sleep calmly or sometimes used when someone has passed.
Sample Sentences: The baby finally slept in peace. / I hope Grandma sleeps in peace.
Other Way to Say: Rest quietly / Calm sleep
39. Out for the count
Meaning: Deeply asleep.
Sample Sentences: After playing outside, he was out for the count. / I was out for the count all night.
Other Way to Say: Fast asleep / Knocked out
40. Call it bedtime
Meaning: Decide it’s time to sleep.
Sample Sentences: Let’s call it bedtime now. / I called it bedtime early tonight.
Other Way to Say: Say it’s time to sleep / Bedtime
41. Bedhead
Meaning: Messy hair after sleeping.
Sample Sentences: Look at that bedhead! / I had bedhead after my nap.
Other Way to Say: Sleep hair / Messy hair
42. Blanket hog
Meaning: Someone who takes all the blanket while sleeping.
Sample Sentences: My brother is a blanket hog. / She’s a total blanket hog in bed.
Other Way to Say: Takes the covers / Blanket thief
43. Like a baby
Meaning: Sleep calmly and deeply.
Sample Sentences: I slept like a baby. / He was sleeping like a baby all night.
Other Way to Say: Calm sleep / Peaceful rest
44. Dream away
Meaning: Spend time in sleep or daydreams.
Sample Sentences: He dreamed away the whole afternoon. / I love to dream away on rainy days.
Other Way to Say: Dream / Rest with thoughts
45. Sleepwalk through
Meaning: Do something while very tired, not fully awake.
Sample Sentences: I sleepwalked through math class. / He sleepwalked through the morning.
Other Way to Say: Half asleep / Not fully awake
46. Drift off
Meaning: Slowly fall asleep.
Sample Sentences: I drifted off while listening to music. / She drifted off during the car ride.
Other Way to Say: Doze off / Fall asleep gently
47. Sleep like a baby
Meaning: Sleep peacefully and without trouble.
Sample Sentences: He slept like a baby after the trip. / I always sleep like a baby at Grandma’s house.
Other Way to Say: Calm sleep / Deep rest
48. Sleeping on the job
Meaning: Not doing what you’re supposed to do (can be literal or figurative).
Sample Sentences: He was sleeping on the job during group work. / Don’t sleep on the job during class.
Other Way to Say: Not paying attention / Being lazy
49. Pillow talk
Meaning: Quiet talk before falling asleep.
Sample Sentences: We had some pillow talk before bed. / Mom and Dad had a little pillow talk after dinner.
Other Way to Say: Bedtime chat / Soft talk
50. Rise with the sun
Meaning: Wake up very early.
Sample Sentences: Grandpa rises with the sun. / I had to rise with the sun for my trip.
Other Way to Say: Wake up early / Up at sunrise
51. Sleep like the dead
Meaning: Sleep so deeply you don’t hear anything.
Sample Sentences: I slept like the dead last night. / He sleeps like the dead on weekends.
Other Way to Say: Very deep sleep / No waking up
52. Crash out
Meaning: Fall asleep quickly because of being tired.
Sample Sentences: I crashed out on the couch. / She crashed out after the birthday party.
Other Way to Say: Knocked out / Fell asleep fast
53. Bedtime story
Meaning: A story read before sleep.
Sample Sentences: Dad read a bedtime story every night. / I love bedtime stories with animals.
Other Way to Say: Night story / Bedtime book
54. Sleep through
Meaning: Stay asleep the whole time, even through noise.
Sample Sentences: I slept through the thunder. / She slept through her alarm.
Other Way to Say: Didn’t wake up / Slept all the way
55. Tired as a dog
Meaning: Very tired and ready to sleep.
Sample Sentences: I’m tired as a dog after gym class. / He was tired as a dog after soccer.
Other Way to Say: Super tired / Ready to sleep
Multiple Choice Quiz: Idioms about Sleeping
1. What does “hit the hay” mean?
A) Ride a tractor
B) Go to bed
C) Jump on straw
2. If someone “sleeps like a log,” what are they doing?
A) Rolling around in bed
B) Snoring loudly
C) Sleeping very deeply
3. What does it mean to “catch some Z’s”?
A) Get some sleep
B) Draw the letter Z
C) Run really fast
4. If you are “out like a light,” what happened?
A) You turned off a lamp
B) You fell asleep quickly
C) You woke up early
5. When someone “burns the midnight oil,” what are they doing?
A) Cooking dinner
B) Sleeping outside
C) Staying up late working or studying
6. If your dad is “sawing logs,” what is he probably doing?
A) Building a treehouse
B) Snoring loudly
C) Cutting firewood
7. What does “sleep in” mean?
A) Sleep in your clothes
B) Sleep at someone else’s house
C) Wake up later than usual
8. If your mom says “lights out,” what does she mean?
A) The lightbulb broke
B) It’s bedtime
C) Time to dance
9. When someone “sleeps like a baby,” how do they sleep?
A) Restless and noisy
B) Peacefully and deeply
C) While crying
10. What does “pillow talk” mean?
A) Talking about your pillow
B) Arguing loudly
C) Quiet talking before falling asleep
11. If your friend is a “night owl,” what does that mean?
A) They like birds
B) They stay up late
C) They wake up early
12. What does “tired as a dog” mean?
A) Too tired to walk
B) Ready to play
C) Very tired and ready to sleep
Answer Key
- B) Go to bed
- C) Sleeping very deeply
- A) Get some sleep
- B) You fell asleep quickly
- C) Staying up late working or studying
- B) Snoring loudly
- C) Wake up later than usual
- B) It’s bedtime
- B) Peacefully and deeply
- C) Quiet talking before falling asleep
- B) They stay up late
- C) Very tired and ready to sleep
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Sleeping Idioms Master!
You know all about sleep sayings and what they mean. Great job! - 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding sleeping idioms.
You’re doing really well just a little more practice to master them. - 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there!
Keep learning and soon you’ll remember all these fun idioms. - 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore sleeping idioms together.
That’s okay! These take time. Go back and try again you’ll get better.
Conclusion
Sleep idioms are fun ways to talk about resting, being tired, or going to bed. Instead of always saying “go to sleep,” you can say things like “hit the sack” or “catch some Z’s.” These phrases make everyday language more interesting and help you sound more natural in conversations.
By learning these idioms, you can better understand books, shows, and how people talk. The more you practice, the easier they will become. Keep using them in real life, and soon they’ll feel like part of your everyday speech.
