Informal verb with two common meanings:
- 1. To fall asleep very quickly, usually due to extreme tiredness.
- 2. To stay overnight at someone's place informally, often unexpectedly or with minimal amenities (like sleeping on a couch).
Explanation
Origin
- Meaning 1 (fall asleep): Likely relates to the idea of crashing like a wave or a falling object – a sudden, heavy collapse into sleep. Evokes exhaustion. Popularized mid-20th century.
- Meaning 2 (stay overnight): Possibly evolved from crashing a party (arriving uninvited), extended to staying over without formal invitation or preparation. Or perhaps from crash pad, slang for a temporary place to sleep. Popularized later, maybe 1960s/70s.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal (Sleep):
- Hit the hay / Hit the sack. (Go to bed/sleep)
- Catch some Zs. (Get some sleep)
Slang/Informal (Stay over):
- Surf the couch / Couch surf. (Stay temporarily at various friends' places)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- (Not typically used for these meanings, though one might say I fuckin' crashed to emphasize exhaustion.)
Milder / More Formal:
- For sleep: Fall asleep, Go to sleep, Retire for the night.
- For stay over: Stay the night, Spend the night, Request accommodation.
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal. Both meanings are for casual conversation.
- Asking to crash somewhere implies a casual relationship and understanding that amenities might be basic. Don't ask a new acquaintance or a boss.
- Saying you crashed (fell asleep) is fine in most informal contexts.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- The dual meaning needs context. I crashed last night could mean fell asleep OR stayed over informally. Usually, context makes it clear (I crashed *at Mike's place* vs. I crashed *as soon as I got home*).
- Could be confused with the more common meaning of crash (vehicle accident) if context is ambiguous.
Examples
- Meaning 1 (Sleep): I was so tired after the hike, I got home and just crashed on the sofa. / I think I'm gonna crash soon.
- Meaning 2 (Stay over): Hey, it's late. Can I crash at your place tonight? / We had a few friends crash on the floor after the party.
Dialogue
# Dialogue 1 (Sleep):
Maya: You okay? You seem really out of it.
Ben: Yeah, just exhausted. Didn't sleep well last night. I think I'm going to go home and crash.
Maya: Good idea. Get some rest!
# Dialogue 2 (Stay over):
Carlos: (On phone) Hey Sarah, the party's going late and I missed the last train. Any chance I could crash on your couch?
Sarah: Oh, hey Carlos! Yeah, sure, no worries. Come on over. The door's unlocked.
Carlos: Awesome, thanks so much! I really appreciate it.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Epic night out, but missed my ride. Anyone in the downtown area willing to let me crash? 🙏 #help #couchsurfing
- Status Update: Finally home after a 14-hour shift. About to crash HARD. 😴 #exhausted #worklife
- Post: Had the best time visiting friends! Thanks for letting me crash, @FriendName! ❤️
Response Patterns
To statement of crashing (sleep):
- Sympathy/Understanding: Yeah, you look exhausted., Get some rest.
To request to crash (stay over):
- Permission granted: Yeah, sure, no problem., Of course, you can take the couch.
- Permission denied/Hesitation: Oh, uh, tonight's not great..., Sorry, I have guests.
To statement of someone crashing (stay over):
- Acknowledgment: Cool., Okay, hope you have enough blankets.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After crashing (sleep):
- Waking up later, perhaps feeling groggy or refreshed.
After getting permission to crash (stay over):
- Asking about specifics: Where should I sleep?, Do you have an extra pillow?
- Expressing thanks: Thanks so much, you're a lifesaver!
- The host providing bedding or directions.
After someone crashes (stays over):
- Offering breakfast in the morning.
- The guest thanking the host again before leaving.
Conversation Starter
- Request (Can I crash?): Yes, initiates a negotiation/request.
- Statement (I'm gonna crash): No, usually ends a conversation or explains departure/inactivity.
Intonation
- Meaning 1 (Sleep): Often said with a tone of exhaustion. Stress on crash. I just CRASHED.
- Meaning 2 (Stay over): Usually casual, perhaps slightly hesitant when asking permission. Stress on crash. Can I CRASH at your place?
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used, particularly common from Gen X onwards.
Regional Variations
- Common in American English. Also used in other regions, though alternatives like kip (UK/Aus) for staying over are also common.