| Catch some Z’s |
To get some sleep.
Example: I’m exhausted; I need to go home and catch some Z’s. |
| Sleep on it |
To postpone a decision until the next day.
Example: Don’t rush your decision—sleep on it and let me know tomorrow. |
| Out like a light |
To fall asleep very quickly.
Example: As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was out like a light. |
| Hit the hay |
To go to bed.
Example: It’s getting late; it’s time to hit the hay. |
| Sawing logs |
Snoring loudly.
Example: I couldn’t sleep at all with you sawing logs next to me. |
| Not lose any sleep over it |
Not be worried about something.
Example: He’s not worth your trouble; don’t lose any sleep over him. |
| Sleep like a baby |
To sleep very soundly.
Example: After the long hike, I slept like a baby. |
| Put to bed |
To complete something and stop worrying about it.
Example: Let’s put this argument to bed and remain friends. |
| Sleep with one eye open |
To remain alert or watchful, especially in a dangerous situation.
Example: In this business, you have to sleep with one eye open. |
| Beauty sleep |
Sleep before an event where one wants to look well-rested and attractive.
Example: I need to get my beauty sleep for the wedding tomorrow. |
| Sleep tight |
Sleep well, without being disturbed.
Example: Goodnight, sleep tight, and don’t let the bedbugs bite! |
| Count sheep |
Imagine sheep jumping over a fence to help oneself fall asleep.
Example: When I can’t sleep, I start to count sheep. |
| Forty winks |
A short nap.
Example: I’m just going to have forty winks before we go out tonight. |
| Burn the candle at both ends |
To work or do other activities from early morning until late at night and so get very little rest.
Example: You can’t keep burning the candle at both ends without damaging your health. |
| Let sleeping dogs lie |
To avoid bringing up an old problem or disturbing a situation.
Example: It’s best to let sleeping dogs lie and not ask about the issue again. |
| To sleep like a log |
To sleep very deeply.
Example: He was so tired after the trip that he slept like a log. |
| To be caught napping |
To be taken by surprise or unprepared.
Example: The team was caught napping in the last minutes of the game. |
| To be dead to the world |
To be in a deep sleep and unaware of one’s surroundings.
Example: She was so exhausted, she was dead to the world as soon as she lay down. |
| To sleep rough |
To sleep outdoors, usually without proper bedding or shelter.
Example: He had to sleep rough after missing the last train home. |
| To not sleep a wink |
To not sleep at all.
Example: I was so nervous about today’s exam, I didn’t sleep a wink last night. |
| To toss and turn |
To move around restlessly while sleeping or trying to sleep.
Example: I was tossing and turning all night thinking about the meeting. |
| To sleep on a problem |
To postpone decision-making until after a night’s sleep.
Example: If you can’t figure it out now, sleep on the problem and try again in the morning. |
| To snore up a storm |
To snore very loudly.
Example: My roommate was snoring up a storm last night; I couldn’t get any sleep! |
| To sleep the sleep of the just |
To sleep soundly and peacefully.
Example: After a day of hard work, he slept the sleep of the just. |
| Early to bed, early to rise |
Going to bed early and waking up early is considered healthy.
Example: My grandmother always said, “Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” |
| To be in the land of nod |
To be asleep.
Example: Don’t bother him now; he’s in the land of nod. |
| To have a lie-in |
To remain in bed later than usual in the morning.
Example: On Sundays, I like to have a lie-in and read the papers. |
| To sleep on pins and needles |
To be anxious or uncomfortable, preventing restful sleep.
Example: I slept on pins and needles waiting for the test results. |
| To sleep like the dead |
To sleep extremely deeply and make it difficult to wake up.
Example: After the marathon, he slept like the dead. |
| To make up for lost sleep |
To sleep more to recover from a period of less sleep.
Example: This weekend, I plan to make up for lost sleep. |
| To sleep at the wheel |
To not be alert or attentive, especially in a situation where vigilance is required.
Example: The company was losing money because the CEO was sleeping at the wheel. |
| To get a good night’s sleep |
To experience a night of comfortable and restful sleep.
Example: You’ll perform better on the test if you get a good night’s sleep. |
| To sleep like a top |
To sleep very well (less common, but similar to sleeping like a log).
Example: He can sleep like a top anywhere, anytime. |
| To be asleep at the switch |
To fail to do something in time because one was not paying attention.
Example: The security guard was asleep at the switch when the thieves broke in. |
| To sleep the clock around |
To sleep for 24 hours or through all the hours of the day.
Example: She was so jet-lagged that she slept the clock around. |
| To sleep one-off |
To sleep in order to recover from the effects of alcohol or a hangover.
Example: He decided to sleep one off after the party last night. |
