Sleep Idioms and What They Mean
Sleep idioms are fun expressions we use to talk about going to bed, staying up late, or needing rest. These idioms help describe how we sleep, when we sleep, and how we feel. Here are 8 common sleep idioms, what they mean, and how to use them.
Hit the hay / Hit the sack
To go to bed or go to sleep.
I’m really tired—I’m going to hit the hay.
She hit the sack early after a long day.
Catch some Z’s
To get some sleep (informal and playful).
I need to catch some Z’s before work.
He’s catching some Z’s on the couch.
Sleep like a log
To sleep very deeply and not wake up easily.
I slept like a log after the trip.
She always sleeps like a log and doesn’t hear anything.
Burn the midnight oil
To stay up late working or studying.
He’s burning the midnight oil to finish his report.
I had to burn the midnight oil before the exam.
Night owl
A person who stays up late.
She’s a night owl and loves working at night.
I’m not a night owl—I go to bed early.
Early bird
A person who wakes up early.
He’s an early bird who exercises before work.
The early bird gets the best seat in class!
Forty winks
A short nap.
I took forty winks during my lunch break.
He just needs forty winks to feel better.
Sleep on it
To think about something overnight before deciding.
Don’t decide now—sleep on it.
I’ll sleep on it and tell you tomorrow.
