Sleep isn’t just sleep — at least not in English! The language is full of colorful phrases that capture different ways people drift into dreamland or deal with tiredness. From accidental naps to intentional long sleeps, here are some of the most useful and fun “sleep” expressions to add to your vocabulary:
1. Doze off — tertidur tanpa sengaja
This means falling asleep unintentionally, usually for a short moment.
Example: I dozed off during the movie because I was so tired.
2. Nod off — hampir sama dengan doze off
You start falling asleep little by little, often while sitting. Your head “nods” down — and that’s how it got its name.
Example: She nodded off on the bus ride home.
3. Sleep in — bangun lebih siang dari biasanya
You don’t wake up at your usual time — intentionally or unintentionally.
Example: I finally got to sleep in on Sunday after a busy week.
4. Sleep through — tetap tidur meskipun ada suara/kejadian
You continue sleeping despite noise or disturbances. This describes people who are “heavy sleepers.”
Example: He slept through the storm last night.
5. Sleep off — tidur untuk menghilangkan sesuatu (misalnya rasa mabuk, sakit, capek)
Use this when someone sleeps to recover from something.
Example: She slept off her headache and felt much better.
6. Drop off — tertidur dengan cepat
A slightly British expression meaning to fall asleep suddenly or easily.
Example: The kids dropped off as soon as the lights were out.
7. Sleep over — menginap di rumah orang lain
A fun one, often used by children or teens, but also adults.
Example: We had a sleepover at Sarah’s house and watched movies all night.
Why These Expressions Matter
These phrases help you sound more natural and expressive in English. Instead of saying “I slept” all the time, you can describe exactly how you slept — whether you drifted off slowly, slept through noise, or stayed at a friend’s house.
Source:
https://www.jenniferadams.com/blogs/live-better/science-sleep?srsltid=AfmBOor7e4qplj788QHR5V0Dn8X4RZ5Os4v2q-5SgfCxpNEcdQBXpOt9