There’s something magical about winding down at the end of a long day, slipping into cozy pajamas, and drifting off to dreamland. Across cultures and languages, people have come up with colorful idioms to describe the act of going to bed. These expressions add a touch of personality to something as simple as hitting the hay (see what I did there?).

In this blog post, I’ve compiled 39 unique idioms for going to bed, each with its meaning, an example sentence, and alternative ways to say it. Plus, stick around for a fun, interactive quiz wizard at the end to test your knowledge of these sleepy sayings!

Whether you’re a language lover or just curious about the quirky ways we talk about sleep, this list is sure to delight. Let’s dive into the world of bedtime idioms!

39 Idioms for Going to Bed

1. Hit the Hay

Meaning: To go to bed or fall asleep, often implying a quick or casual transition to sleep.
Example Sentence: After a long day at work, I can’t wait to hit the hay and catch some Zs.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Crash, turn in, hit the sack.

2. Catch Some Zs

Meaning: To sleep, referring to the sound of snoring (like “zzz”).
Example Sentence: I’m exhausted from studying, so I’m going to catch some Zs before the exam.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Snooze, doze off, get some shut-eye.

3. Turn In

Meaning: To go to bed, often used in a routine or formal sense.
Example Sentence: It’s getting late, so I think I’ll turn in for the night.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Retire, hit the hay, go to sleep.

4. Hit the Sack

Meaning: To go to bed, similar to “hit the hay,” with a casual vibe.
Example Sentence: After the party, we were so tired we just hit the sack.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Crash, turn in, call it a night.

5. Call It a Night

Meaning: To decide to stop activities for the day and go to bed.
Example Sentence: We’ve been working on this puzzle for hours, let’s call it a night.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Wrap it up, shut down, hit the hay.

6. Get Some Shut-Eye

Meaning: To get some sleep or rest, emphasizing closing one’s eyes.
Example Sentence: I need to get some shut-eye before my early morning flight.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Catch some Zs, snooze, nap.

7. Drift Off

Meaning: To fall asleep gradually, often peacefully.
Example Sentence: Listening to soft music helps me drift off to sleep.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Doze off, nod off, fall asleep.

8. Nod Off

Meaning: To fall asleep unintentionally, often briefly.
Example Sentence: I nodded off during the boring lecture and missed the key points.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Doze off, drift off, conk out.

9. Doze Off

Meaning: To fall into a light sleep, often unintentionally.
Example Sentence: She dozed off on the couch while watching TV.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Nod off, drift off, catch a nap.

10. Crash

Meaning: To go to bed or fall asleep quickly due to exhaustion.
Example Sentence: After the marathon, I crashed as soon as I got home.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Hit the sack, pass out, conk out.

11. Conk Out

Meaning: To fall asleep suddenly or collapse into sleep due to tiredness.
Example Sentence: I conked out on the sofa after dinner.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Crash, pass out, nod off.

12. Pass Out

Meaning: To fall asleep quickly, often implying deep exhaustion.
Example Sentence: I was so tired after the hike that I passed out on my bed.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Crash, conk out, hit the sack.

13. Rack Out

Meaning: To sleep deeply, often used in military or informal contexts.
Example Sentence: The soldiers racked out after a long day of training.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Crash, hit the hay, sleep like a log.

14. Sleep Like a Log

Meaning: To sleep very deeply and soundly, without waking.
Example Sentence: After the camping trip, I slept like a log all night.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Sleep like a rock, be out like a light, dead to the world.

15. Be Out Like a Light

Meaning: To fall asleep instantly and deeply.
Example Sentence: As soon as her head hit the pillow, she was out like a light.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Sleep like a log, crash, pass out.

16. Dead to the World

Meaning: To be in a deep sleep, unaware of surroundings.
Example Sentence: After the party, he was dead to the world until noon.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Sleep like a log, out like a light, in a coma.

17. Go to the Land of Nod

Meaning: To fall asleep, referencing a biblical place of dreams.
Example Sentence: The kids went to the land of Nod after their bedtime story.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Drift off, doze off, fall asleep.

Also read // 30 Idioms for Trust (with Meaning, Examples & Quiz)

18. Tuck In

Meaning: To settle into bed comfortably, often with blankets.
Example Sentence: I tucked in with a good book before falling asleep.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Snuggle in, get cozy, turn in.

19. Snuggle Down

Meaning: To get comfortable in bed, often under covers.
Example Sentence: It’s cold tonight, so I’m going to snuggle down and stay warm.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Tuck in, cozy up, nestle in.

20. Catch a Nap

Meaning: To take a short sleep or rest.
Example Sentence: I’m going to catch a nap before dinner to recharge.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Doze off, take a snooze, rest.

21. Take a Snooze

Meaning: To have a brief sleep, often during the day.
Example Sentence: Grandpa loves to take a snooze in his armchair after lunch.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Catch a nap, doze off, nod off.

22. Hit the Pillow

Meaning: To go to bed, emphasizing the act of lying down.
Example Sentence: I can’t wait to hit the pillow after this long day.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Hit the hay, turn in, crash.

23. Slip into Dreamland

Meaning: To fall asleep and begin dreaming.
Example Sentence: Listening to rain sounds helps me slip into dreamland.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Drift off, go to the land of Nod, fall asleep.

24. Catch Forty Winks

Meaning: To take a short nap or brief sleep.
Example Sentence: I caught forty winks on the train ride home.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Take a snooze, catch a nap, doze off.

25. Go Night-Night

Meaning: A playful way to say go to bed, often used with kids.
Example Sentence: It’s time for the little ones to go night-night.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Hit the hay, turn in, bedtime.

26. Retire for the Night

Meaning: To formally go to bed, often implying a routine.
Example Sentence: After dinner, Grandma retired for the night.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Turn in, hit the sack, go to bed.

27. Climb into Bed

Meaning: To physically get into bed to sleep.
Example Sentence: I climbed into bed and was asleep in minutes.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Hop into bed, slip into bed, turn in.

28. Hop into Bed

Meaning: To quickly get into bed, often eagerly.
Example Sentence: After a long day, I hopped into bed and relaxed.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Climb into bed, dive into bed, turn in.

29. Dive into Bed

Meaning: To eagerly or enthusiastically get into bed.
Example Sentence: I was so tired I dove into bed without changing.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Hop into bed, climb into bed, crash.

30. Snore Away

Meaning: To fall asleep and start snoring, implying deep sleep.
Example Sentence: He snored away as soon as he hit the pillow.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Sleep like a log, crash, pass out.

31. Zonk Out

Meaning: To fall asleep quickly and deeply, often due to exhaustion.
Example Sentence: After the road trip, I zonked out on the couch.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Crash, pass out, conk out.

32. Sack Out

Meaning: To go to bed or fall asleep, often casually.
Example Sentence: We sacked out early after the long hike.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Hit the sack, crash, turn in.

33. Shut Down for the Night

Meaning: To stop activities and go to bed, like powering off.
Example Sentence: I’m shutting down for the night, see you tomorrow!
Alternative Ways to Say It: Call it a night, turn in, hit the hay.

34. Go to Dreamland

Meaning: To fall asleep and enter a state of dreaming.
Example Sentence: The lullaby sent the baby to dreamland in no time.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Slip into dreamland, drift off, go to the land of Nod.

35. Catch Some Sleep

Meaning: To get some rest or sleep, often urgently needed.
Example Sentence: I need to catch some sleep before my big presentation.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Get some shut-eye, snooze, nap.

36. Rest One’s Eyes

Meaning: To close one’s eyes briefly to rest, often leading to sleep.
Example Sentence: I’m just going to rest my eyes for a few minutes.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Take a nap, doze off, catch forty winks.

37. Drop Off

Meaning: To fall asleep, often gradually or unintentionally.
Example Sentence: I dropped off while reading my book last night.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Doze off, nod off, drift off.

38. Get Some Rest

Meaning: To go to bed or sleep to recover energy.
Example Sentence: You look exhausted, go get some rest!
Alternative Ways to Say It: Catch some sleep, hit the hay, turn in.

39. Snooze

Meaning: To sleep lightly or briefly, often during the day.
Example Sentence: I’m going to snooze for an hour before the meeting.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Take a nap, catch forty winks, doze off.

Why Idioms for Going to Bed Matter

Idioms like these add color and personality to our everyday conversations. They reflect cultural attitudes toward sleep; some playful, some practical, and others downright poetic. Whether you’re “hitting the hay” or “slipping into dreamland,” these expressions make the act of going to bed feel a little more special. Plus, they’re a fun way to expand your vocabulary and connect with others through shared language.