Sleep Idioms

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counting sheep

Meaning: To try to fall asleep by imagining and counting sheep jumping one after another.

Example: When anxiety kept him awake, he began counting sheep to settle his mind and fall asleep. Read more ➺


light sleeper

Meaning: A person who wakes up very easily, even from small sounds or movement.

Example: As a light sleeper, she woke up the second the dog barked outside. Read more ➺


dead to the world

Meaning: Sleeping deeply and unresponsive to external stimuli.

Example: After the long hike, he was dead to the world by 9 PM. Read more ➺


wake up and smell the coffee

Meaning: to recognize and accept the truth, particularly when it is inconvenient or unwelcome.

Example: You need to wake up and smell the coffee—our company is in serious trouble. Read more ➺


forty winks

Meaning: a brief nap or short sleep.

Example: The bank manager caught the security guard taking forty winks on duty. Read more ➺


catch napping

Meaning: getting someone to deal with a situation since you put them in it suddenly and they were unprepared and not paying attention.

Example: His plan to catch his security office napping was successful. Read more ➺


zone out

Meaning: to fall asleep.

Example: Whenever they start talking about chemistry, I zone out. Read more ➺


drop off

Meaning: take someone or something to a given place using a vehicle and leave them there.

Example: Once we were done with the concert, he offered to drop me off at home. Read more ➺


sleep on

Meaning: postpone making a choice until the following day.

Example: Please don't sleep on that talent. It will take you places! Read more ➺


hit the hay

Meaning: to go to sleep or head to bed.

Example: I have to get up early, so I better hit the hay soon.  Read more ➺


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