Learn These 12 Fun Ways to Say "Sleep" in English
Do you like to sleep? Although the hours may vary, sleeping takes up a big part of many people's day.
You probably learned words like "sleep" and "nap" in school, but have you ever wondered if there are any other phrases you can use instead?
Today we'll look at 12 expressions used in English to imply that someone is sleeping or almost asleep.
12 Phrases That Mean “Sleep” in English
Catching some Zs
You might know that in English, Zs represent the sound of someone snoring. You will see sleep represented in many cartoons with three Zs in a row.
Therefore, to "catch" some Zs means to sleep! This can be a very fun and casual way to express that you're in need of some sleep or that someone else is enjoying a nap.
- I was up late studying last night, so I need to catch some Zs now.
- I think he's catching some Zs in the other room — I can hear him snoring.
Sawing logs
Have you ever heard the sound of someone using a saw to cut some logs? If you have, you might know that the sound is somewhat similar to that of someone snoring!
- After a long day of work, he's in his room sawing logs.
Sleep like a log
Interestingly, "logs" are used in this next phrase too, but in a different way. This expression implies that when someone is in a deep state of sleep, they are not moving around and are instead still, just like a log.
- She fell onto her bed and slept like a log until morning.
Hitting the sack
In the past, beds were often made of sacks, or bags, filled with straw or other materials. Therefore, going to bed meant literally hitting or settling into the sack!
- I'm exhausted; I'm going to hit the sack early tonight.
Taking a siesta
This is a Spanish word that has cleverly made its way into the English language. A "siesta" is a short nap taken during the day, often after lunch.
- I like to take a siesta after lunch to recharge.
Crashing
The term "crash" is used when you go to sleep suddenly and heavily, often on a couch or somewhere other than your bed.
- As soon as I got home, I crashed on the couch.
- We let Mike crash at our place because his flight got canceled.
Catching some shut-eye
This one should be easy to understand. When you're asleep, your eyes are normally shut, or closed, right? So "shut-eye" is a fun and casual term that is used to mean "sleep"!
- I need to catch some shut-eye before the big meeting tomorrow.
Out like a light
It takes a split second for a light to go out when you flick the switch. Similarly, "out like a light" is a phrase used to mean that you fell asleep quickly.
- After the long hike, I was out like a light as soon as I hit the bed.
Snooze/Snoozing
When you hit "snooze" on your alarm clock, that usually means that you want to sleep a little bit more instead of getting up. Therefore, "snooze" means to take a nap or sleep lightly.
- I'll be in the garden, just snoozing in the sun for a bit.
Doze off
Think of sitting in a boring meeting or listening to a long lecture. Do you ever feel like you're falling asleep? If you've experienced this before, then you know what it means to "doze off!"
As a verb, "doze" means to sleep lightly, and as a noun, it means "a short nap." So when you doze off, it means that you're on your way to that state of sleeping, but not there just yet.
- She kept dozing off during the long lecture.
Drowse
Similar to doze, "drowse" means to be half asleep. It can be used in the noun or verb form as well.
- She just woke up from a light drowse.
- After a heavy meal, he began to drowse in his chair.
You can also use the adjective form "drowsy," which is similar in meaning to "sleepy."
- I felt a little drowsy after taking medicine for my cold.
Slumber
You won't see this word used often, but it's still a good word to know. This is a fancy, poetic way of saying "sleep!"
- After a long day at work, he was eager to slumber in his comfortable bed.
Have you heard of the song "Golden Slumbers" by The Beatles? This song was inspired by a poem written by Thomas Dekker for the play Patient Grissel. The poem is a lullaby, or a song you normally sing to a baby or child to get them to sleep.
Wrap-up
I hope this list didn't make you feel too drowsy.
English is a language with a lot of slang and idioms, so it's always useful to be caught up.
Maybe you can try memorizing these 12 phrases from today's article before hitting the sack tonight!
