39 Idioms for Going to Bed: Meanings, Examples & Alternatives
Discover 39 unique English idioms and expressions for going to bed, falling asleep, or bedtime. These bedtime idioms make conversations more colorful and natural. Ideal for English learners looking to master sleep-related expressions in 2026.
The Complete List of 39 Bedtime Idioms
1. Hit the Hay
Meaning: To go to bed or prepare to sleep (from old hay-filled mattresses).
Example Sentence: After the long hike, we were ready to hit the hay early.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Hit the sack, turn in, crash out.
2. Hit the Sack
Meaning: To go to bed (referring to old sack-like sleeping bags or mattresses).
Example Sentence: It’s midnight; time to hit the sack before tomorrow’s meeting.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Hit the hay, call it a night, retire for the night.
3. Turn In
Meaning: To go to bed, usually for the night.
Example Sentence: I like to turn in by 11 PM to feel refreshed.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Hit the pillow, go to bed, retire.
4. Catch Some Z’s
Meaning: To get some sleep (Z’s represent snoring sounds).
Example Sentence: I need to catch some Z’s after this busy day.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Get some shut-eye, snooze, doze off.
5. Call It a Night
Meaning: To stop activities and go to bed.
Example Sentence: The movie was great, but let’s call it a night now.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Wrap it up, head to bed, turn in.
6. Hit the Pillow
Meaning: To go to bed or lie down to sleep.
Example Sentence: I’m exhausted; time to hit the pillow.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Hit the hay, crash, go to sleep.
7. Sleep Tight
Meaning: A goodnight wish meaning sleep well (from tightening old bed ropes).
Example Sentence: Goodnight kids, sleep tight and don’t let the bedbugs bite.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Sweet dreams, rest well, goodnight.
8. Crash Out
Meaning: To fall asleep quickly and deeply, often from exhaustion.
Example Sentence: After the party, I just crashed out on the couch.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Conk out, pass out, drop off.
9. Off to the Land of Nod
Meaning: Going to sleep or dreamland (nod refers to nodding off).
Example Sentence: I’m off to the land of nod; see you tomorrow.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Head to dreamland, go to sleep, drift off.
10. Drop Off
Meaning: To fall asleep unintentionally or quickly.
Example Sentence: She dropped off during the boring movie.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Nod off, drift off, fall asleep.
11. Lights Out
Meaning: Time to turn off lights and go to sleep.
Example Sentence: Lights out at 10 PM in the dorm.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Bedtime, time for sleep, hit the sack.
12. Tuck In
Meaning: To put someone (usually a child) into bed comfortably.
Example Sentence: Mom tucks me in with a story every night.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Put to bed, snuggle down, settle in.
13. Saw Logs
Meaning: To snore loudly while sleeping.
Example Sentence: My dad saws logs every night.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Snore like a buzzsaw, make Z’s loudly.
14. Nod Off
Meaning: To fall asleep briefly or unintentionally.
Example Sentence: I nodded off on the train ride home.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Drift off, doze off, fall asleep.
15. Get Some Shut-Eye
Meaning: To get some sleep.
Example Sentence: I need to get some shut-eye before the exam.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Catch some Z’s, hit the hay.
16. Retire for the Night
Meaning: To go to bed formally.
Example Sentence: I think I’ll retire for the night.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Turn in, call it a night.
17. Go to Dreamland
Meaning: To fall asleep and enter dreams.
Example Sentence: Time to go to dreamland after this day.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Off to the land of nod, drift into sleep.
18. Conk Out
Meaning: To fall asleep suddenly from tiredness.
Example Sentence: He conked out right after dinner.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Crash out, pass out.
19. Sack Out
Meaning: To go to sleep (similar to hit the sack).
Example Sentence: I’m going to sack out early tonight.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Hit the sack, crash.
20. Bed Down
Meaning: To settle into bed for the night.
Example Sentence: The kids are finally bedded down.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Tuck in, settle for sleep.
21. Drift Off
Meaning: To gradually fall asleep.
Example Sentence: I drifted off while reading a book.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Nod off, drop off.
22. Forty Winks
Meaning: A short nap (often used for going to bed briefly).
Example Sentence: I need forty winks before continuing.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Catnap, quick snooze.
23. Out Like a Light
Meaning: Fall asleep instantly.
Example Sentence: She was out like a light after the long flight.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Crash out, drop off immediately.
24. Call It Bedtime
Meaning: Decide it’s time to sleep.
Example Sentence: After yawning, I called it bedtime.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Call it a night, lights out.
25. Hit the Rack
Meaning: To go to bed (military term for bunk).
Example Sentence: Soldiers hit the rack at lights out.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Hit the hay, turn in.
26. Go Night-Night
Meaning: Go to sleep (childish or cute way).
Example Sentence: Time to go night-night, little one.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Beddy-bye, sleep time.
27. Head to La-La Land
Meaning: Go to sleep or dream.
Example Sentence: I’m heading to la-la land soon.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Off to dreamland, catch Z’s.
28. Clock Out
Meaning: End the day and go to bed.
Example Sentence: I’m clocking out for the night.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Sign off, call it a day.
29. Snuggle Down
Meaning: Get cozy in bed to sleep.
Example Sentence: I love to snuggle down with blankets.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Tuck in, settle in.
30. Rack Out
Meaning: To go to sleep (similar to hit the rack).
Example Sentence: Time to rack out after work.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Crash, hit the sack.
31. It’s Bedtime
Meaning: The time has come to go to bed.
Example Sentence: It’s bedtime for the children.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Past my bedtime, time for bed.
32. Catch Forty Winks
Meaning: Take a short sleep.
Example Sentence: I’ll catch forty winks on the sofa.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Nap, get some shut-eye.
33. Go to the Roost
Meaning: Go to bed (like birds to their roost).
Example Sentence: I’m going to the roost early tonight.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Hit the perch, turn in.
34. Shut My Eyes
Meaning: Go to sleep by closing eyes.
Example Sentence: Time to shut my eyes for the night.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Close my eyes, drift off.
35. Bunk Down
Meaning: Settle into bed (from bunk beds).
Example Sentence: Let’s bunk down for the camp night.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Bed down, settle in.
36. Get Some Beauty Sleep
Meaning: Sleep to look rested and beautiful.
Example Sentence: I need my beauty sleep tonight.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Rest up, get shut-eye.
37. Pass Out
Meaning: Fall asleep suddenly (or faint).
Example Sentence: He passed out from exhaustion.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Crash out, conk out.
38. Snoozeville
Meaning: Go to sleep (playful term for sleep town).
Example Sentence: I’m off to snoozeville now.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Catch Z’s, head to dreamland.
39. Time to Crash
Meaning: Time to go to bed and sleep deeply.
Example Sentence: After the trip, it’s time to crash.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Crash out, hit the hay.
Sources
- 7ESL – 50+ Other Ways to Say “I’m Going to Bed”
- Idiom Insider – 35 Idioms for Going to Bed
- Learn English Today – Sleep and Tiredness Idioms
- Idiom And Metaphor – 50 Idioms for Going to Bed
- St George International – Idiomatic Expressions Related to Sleep
Exercise to Practice: Bedtime Idioms Quiz Wizard (15 Questions)
Question 1 of 15
1. What does “Hit the Hay” mean?
2. “Catch Some Z’s” means…