Sometimes people don’t just say, “I’m going to bed.” They use special phrases that mean the same thing. These are called idioms. Idioms are fun expressions that don’t always mean exactly what the words say. For example, if someone says, “I’m hitting the hay,” they don’t mean they’re punching grass. They just mean they’re going to sleep.
This article will help you learn some common idioms about going to sleep. You’ll see what each one means and how people use them. At the end, you’ll find questions to test what you’ve learned. Understanding these idioms can help you follow what others say and make your own speaking more interesting.
Idioms for Going to Sleep
1. Hit the hay
Meaning: To go to bed or go to sleep.
Sample Sentences: I’m tired, so I will hit the hay early tonight. / After the long day, she hit the hay right away.
Other Way to Say: Go to bed / Turn in
2. Catch some Z’s
Meaning: To get some sleep or take a nap.
Sample Sentences: I need to catch some Z’s before the game. / He caught some Z’s on the couch after school.
Other Way to Say: Take a nap / Get some rest
3. Turn in
Meaning: To go to bed.
Sample Sentences: It’s late, so I’m going to turn in now. / After the movie, we all turned in for the night.
Other Way to Say: Go to bed / Hit the sack
4. Hit the sack
Meaning: To go to sleep.
Sample Sentences: I’m so sleepy, I’m going to hit the sack. / After studying, she hit the sack early.
Other Way to Say: Go to bed / Turn in
5. Crash out
Meaning: To fall asleep quickly because you are very tired.
Sample Sentences: I was so tired I crashed out as soon as I lay down. / He crashed out after the long hike.
Other Way to Say: Fall asleep fast / Pass out
6. Sack out
Meaning: To go to sleep or rest, often suddenly.
Sample Sentences: After the party, he sacked out on the couch. / She sacked out right after the game.
Other Way to Say: Go to sleep / Pass out
7. Get some shut-eye
Meaning: To get some sleep.
Sample Sentences: I need to get some shut-eye before school tomorrow. / She got some shut-eye during the car ride.
Other Way to Say: Sleep / Rest
8. Nod off
Meaning: To fall asleep, especially when you don’t mean to.
Sample Sentences: I nodded off during the boring movie. / He was so tired, he nodded off in class.
Other Way to Say: Doze off / Fall asleep
9. Catch forty winks
Meaning: To take a short nap.
Sample Sentences: I caught forty winks after lunch. / She caught forty winks before the game.
Other Way to Say: Take a nap / Rest a bit
10. Drift off
Meaning: To slowly fall asleep.
Sample Sentences: I drifted off while listening to music. / He drifted off after reading his book.
Other Way to Say: Fall asleep slowly / Doze off
11. Drop off
Meaning: To fall asleep.
Sample Sentences: She dropped off as soon as her head hit the pillow. / I dropped off quickly after the long day.
Other Way to Say: Fall asleep / Nod off
12. Turn off the lights
Meaning: To go to sleep, often after turning off the lights.
Sample Sentences: It’s time to turn off the lights and get some rest. / He turned off the lights and went right to sleep.
Other Way to Say: Go to bed / Sleep
13. Go to dreamland
Meaning: To fall asleep and start dreaming.
Sample Sentences: After the story, the kids went to dreamland. / I can’t wait to go to dreamland tonight.
Other Way to Say: Sleep / Go to bed
14. Go out like a light
Meaning: To fall asleep very quickly.
Sample Sentences: After that long day, I went out like a light. / She went out like a light as soon as she lay down.
Other Way to Say: Fall asleep fast / Crash out
15. Call it a night
Meaning: To decide to stop doing something and go to bed.
Sample Sentences: It’s late, so let’s call it a night. / After the party, they called it a night.
Other Way to Say: Go to bed / Stop for the day
16. Get some rest
Meaning: To sleep or relax.
Sample Sentences: You look tired; you should get some rest. / I’m going to get some rest before the test.
Other Way to Say: Sleep / Relax
17. Take a nap
Meaning: To sleep for a short time during the day.
Sample Sentences: I took a nap after lunch. / She likes to take a nap in the afternoon.
Other Way to Say: Rest / Catch some Z’s
18. Sleep like a log
Meaning: To sleep very deeply and soundly.
Sample Sentences: I slept like a log last night. / He was so tired, he slept like a log.
Other Way to Say: Sleep deeply / Sleep soundly
19. Sleep tight
Meaning: A way to say “sleep well.”
Sample Sentences: Good night! Sleep tight. / Mom said, “Sleep tight,” before turning off the lights.
Other Way to Say: Rest well / Have a good sleep
20. Lights out
Meaning: Time to go to sleep; when the lights are turned off.
Sample Sentences: Lights out at 9 PM in the dorm. / The teacher said, “Lights out,” and everyone went to sleep.
Other Way to Say: Bedtime / Go to sleep
21. Catch some sleep
Meaning: To get some sleep, especially if short.
Sample Sentences: I need to catch some sleep before the game. / She caught some sleep on the plane.
Other Way to Say: Sleep / Take a nap
22. Get forty winks
Meaning: To have a short nap or sleep.
Sample Sentences: I got forty winks on the bus ride home. / He got forty winks before dinner.
Other Way to Say: Take a quick nap / Rest a bit
23. Hit the pillow
Meaning: To go to bed or lay down to sleep.
Sample Sentences: I was so tired, I hit the pillow right after dinner. / She hit the pillow and fell asleep fast.
Other Way to Say: Go to bed / Lie down
24. Sack down
Meaning: To lie down to sleep.
Sample Sentences: After a long day, I sacked down early. / He sacked down as soon as he got home.
Other Way to Say: Go to sleep / Lie down
25. Fall asleep
Meaning: To begin sleeping.
Sample Sentences: I fall asleep quickly when it’s quiet. / She fell asleep during the movie.
Other Way to Say: Nod off / Drift off
26. Catch some rest
Meaning: To rest by sleeping or relaxing.
Sample Sentences: I’m going to catch some rest before practice. / She caught some rest during the trip.
Other Way to Say: Relax / Sleep
27. Get your beauty sleep
Meaning: Sleep that helps you feel and look good.
Sample Sentences: Make sure you get your beauty sleep before the big day. / I need to get my beauty sleep tonight.
Other Way to Say: Sleep well / Rest enough
28. Go to bed with the chickens
Meaning: To go to bed early.
Sample Sentences: I go to bed with the chickens on school nights. / She goes to bed with the chickens every day.
Other Way to Say: Go to bed early / Sleep early
29. Sleep like a baby
Meaning: To sleep very peacefully and deeply.
Sample Sentences: After the nap, I slept like a baby. / She slept like a baby all night long.
Other Way to Say: Sleep soundly / Rest well
30. Knock out
Meaning: To fall asleep quickly and deeply.
Sample Sentences: I knocked out as soon as I hit the bed. / He knocked out after the long game.
Other Way to Say: Pass out / Crash out
31. Go lights out
Meaning: To go to sleep quickly.
Sample Sentences: After the trip, I went lights out. / She went lights out as soon as the lights went off.
Other Way to Say: Fall asleep fast / Crash out
32. Catch a few winks
Meaning: To sleep for a short time.
Sample Sentences: I caught a few winks before dinner. / She caught a few winks in the car.
Other Way to Say: Take a quick nap / Rest
33. Hit the mattress
Meaning: To go to bed.
Sample Sentences: I’m going to hit the mattress now. / After studying, he hit the mattress.
Other Way to Say: Go to bed / Lie down
34. Get some kip
Meaning: To get some sleep (British slang, used in the US too sometimes).
Sample Sentences: I’m going to get some kip before the test. / She got some kip after soccer practice.
Other Way to Say: Sleep / Rest
35. Get your head down
Meaning: To go to sleep or rest.
Sample Sentences: I’m going to get my head down for a while. / He got his head down early last night.
Other Way to Say: Go to bed / Sleep
36. Take a siesta
Meaning: To take a short nap during the day (common in some cultures).
Sample Sentences: After lunch, I like to take a siesta. / She took a siesta before the afternoon game.
Other Way to Say: Nap / Rest
37. Power nap
Meaning: A short, refreshing sleep.
Sample Sentences: I took a power nap before the test. / He needed a power nap after soccer practice.
Other Way to Say: Quick nap / Short rest
38. Turn down the covers
Meaning: To prepare the bed to go to sleep.
Sample Sentences: I turned down the covers and got ready for bed. / She turned down the covers and climbed in.
Other Way to Say: Get ready for bed / Lie down
39. Go horizontal
Meaning: To lie down to rest or sleep.
Sample Sentences: I’m so tired I’m going horizontal now. / After the long trip, she went horizontal.
Other Way to Say: Lie down / Go to bed
40. Fall into bed
Meaning: To go to bed quickly because you are tired.
Sample Sentences: I fell into bed after the long day. / She fell into bed as soon as she got home.
Other Way to Say: Go to bed / Lie down
41. Get some downtime
Meaning: To rest and relax, including sleeping.
Sample Sentences: I need some downtime after school. / She got some downtime before the test.
Other Way to Say: Rest / Relax
42. Get cozy in bed
Meaning: To get comfortable and ready to sleep.
Sample Sentences: I got cozy in bed with my blanket. / She got cozy in bed and read a book.
Other Way to Say: Settle in bed / Get comfortable
43. Drift into dreamland
Meaning: To slowly fall asleep and start dreaming.
Sample Sentences: I drifted into dreamland listening to music. / He drifted into dreamland after a story.
Other Way to Say: Fall asleep / Go to sleep
44. Hit the bedroom
Meaning: To go to your bedroom to sleep.
Sample Sentences: I’m going to hit the bedroom now. / After dinner, she hit the bedroom to rest.
Other Way to Say: Go to bed / Go to sleep
45. Sleep off
Meaning: To sleep in order to recover from tiredness or illness.
Sample Sentences: I need to sleep off my cold. / He slept off the tiredness after the game.
Other Way to Say: Rest / Recover with sleep
46. Knock oneself out
Meaning: To fall asleep deeply and quickly.
Sample Sentences: After the trip, I knocked myself out. / She knocked herself out after the long day.
Other Way to Say: Sleep deeply / Pass out
47. Sleep like the dead
Meaning: To sleep very deeply and not wake easily.
Sample Sentences: He slept like the dead last night. / I was so tired, I slept like the dead.
Other Way to Say: Sleep very deeply / Rest soundly
48. Roll into bed
Meaning: To get into bed to sleep.
Sample Sentences: I rolled into bed after the movie. / She rolled into bed and quickly fell asleep.
Other Way to Say: Get into bed / Lie down
49. Get some beauty rest
Meaning: To sleep enough to feel and look good.
Sample Sentences: Don’t stay up late; get some beauty rest. / I need beauty rest before the big day.
Other Way to Say: Sleep well / Rest
50. Sleep soundly
Meaning: To sleep well without waking up.
Sample Sentences: I slept soundly all night. / She sleeps soundly when it’s quiet.
Other Way to Say: Rest well / Sleep deeply
51. Get some snooze
Meaning: To sleep or take a nap.
Sample Sentences: I’m going to get some snooze before dinner. / She got some snooze during the car ride.
Other Way to Say: Sleep / Nap
52. Turn off the brain
Meaning: To relax and fall asleep, stopping thoughts.
Sample Sentences: I had to turn off my brain to fall asleep. / She turned off her brain and drifted off.
Other Way to Say: Relax / Fall asleep
53. Get some kip
Meaning: To sleep (informal).
Sample Sentences: I got some kip after school. / He went to get some kip early.
Other Way to Say: Sleep / Rest
54. Go to the land of nod
Meaning: To go to sleep (a funny way to say it).
Sample Sentences: I went to the land of nod after the story. / She’s ready to go to the land of nod.
Other Way to Say: Go to sleep / Rest
55. Go into snooze mode
Meaning: To start sleeping or taking a nap.
Sample Sentences: After dinner, I went into snooze mode. / He goes into snooze mode after practice.
Other Way to Say: Take a nap / Sleep
Multiple Choice Question: Idioms for Going to Sleep
1. If your mom says, “It’s time to hit the hay,” what does she mean?
A. Go outside and do yard work
B. Go to sleep
C. Play in the hay
2. Jason said, “I’m going to crash after dinner.” What does that mean?
A. He’s going to bump into something
B. He’s going to sleep because he’s tired
C. He’s going to ride his bike fast
3. Which idiom means “fall asleep very fast”?
A. Out like a light
B. Break the ice
C. On the ball
4. If someone says, “I need to catch some Z’s,” what are they trying to do?
A. Watch TV
B. Sleep for a while
C. Count something
5. “She nodded off during the movie.” What happened?
A. She clapped for the movie
B. She quietly fell asleep
C. She walked out of the room
6. What does “get some shut-eye” mean?
A. To put on glasses
B. To rest or sleep
C. To keep your eyes closed without sleeping
7. “Let’s call it a night” means what?
A. Stop working and go to sleep
B. Go outside and stargaze
C. Watch a movie
8. “He was out like a light.” What does this mean?
A. He turned off the light switch
B. He got tired from watching lights
C. He fell asleep really fast
9. If your sister says, “I need to sack out,” what is she saying?
A. She wants to pack for school
B. She wants to go to sleep
C. She wants to clean her room
10. Which idiom means “a short nap”?
A. Catch forty winks
B. Break the bank
C. Go the extra mile
11. What does “tuck in” usually mean at bedtime?
A. To eat quickly
B. To get comfortable and ready for bed
C. To hide something under the bed
12. “I slept like a log last night.” What is the person saying?
A. They had a restless night
B. They stayed awake all night
C. They slept deeply without waking up
Answer Key
1. B – Go to sleep
2. B – He’s going to sleep because he’s tired
3. A – Out like a light
4. B – Sleep for a while
5. B – She quietly fell asleep
6. B – To rest or sleep
7. A – Stop working and go to sleep
8. C – He fell asleep really fast
9. B – She wants to go to sleep
10. A – Catch forty winks
11. B – To get comfortable and ready for bed
12. C – They slept deeply without waking up
Scoring Guide
12 Correct Answers
Love Idiom Master! You really know your sleep idioms!
8–11 Correct Answers
Well on your way to understanding sleep idioms. Keep it up!
4–7 Correct Answers
Room for improvement, but you’re getting there! A little more practice will help.
0–3 Correct Answers
Let’s explore sleep idioms together. You’ll get better with time and learning.
Conclusion
Learning idioms about going to sleep can help you understand what others are saying and make your own speech more fun. These phrases are used in daily life, often instead of just saying “go to bed.”
Now that you know many sleep idioms, you can listen for them in shows, books, or when people talk. Try using a few in your own sentences. It’s a simple way to grow your vocabulary and sound more natural in conversation.
