Hit the road

[1142] Hit the sack / Hit the hay

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English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To go to bed; to go to sleep.

Origin

  • Hit the sack: Likely originated in the American West or military contexts. Beds were often simple sacks filled with straw or other materials. Going to bed involved literally hitting or fluffing up the sack. Dates back to the late 19th or early 20th century.
  • Hit the hay: Similar origin, referring to straw or hay used for bedding, especially in rural settings or barns. People would literally lie down on hay. Also dates to the early 20th century.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Go to bed
  • Go to sleep
  • Turn in
  • Catch some Z's
  • Get some shut-eye
  • Call it a night

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Crash (go to sleep, often implying exhaustion or staying somewhere temporarily)
  • Conk out (fall asleep heavily, often implies exhaustion)
  • Get some kip (UK slang for sleep)
  • Go beddy-byes (Childish or affectionate)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • (Less common for simply going to bed, usually used for passing out from exhaustion or intoxication)

Milder/Standard:

  • I'm going to bed now.
  • Time for sleep.
  • I think I'll turn in.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal.
  • Perfectly fine among friends, family, or close colleagues.
  • Avoid in formal settings or when speaking to superiors unless the relationship is very casual.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Non-native speakers might initially picture physically hitting a sack or pile of hay.
  • The context of being tired or it being late usually clarifies the meaning quickly.

Examples

  • I'm exhausted, I think I'm gonna hit the sack.
  • It's past midnight, time to hit the hay.
  • Let's finish this episode and then hit the sack.

Dialogue

Liam: That was a long day. My eyes are barely staying open.

Chloe: Tell me about it. I'm definitely ready to hit the hay.

Liam: Me too. Good night, Chloe.

Chloe: Good night, Liam. Sleep well.

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: What a day! Finally finished everything. Time to hit the sack. Good night, Twitterverse! 😴 #Tired #GoodNight
  • Facebook Status: Long hike today, feeling it now. Definitely ready to hit the hay. 🥱
  • Instagram Story caption (over a dark screen or yawning selfie): Okay, officially hitting the sack. Peace out! ✌️

Response Patterns

  • Okay, good night.
  • Yeah, me too. I'm tired.
  • Alright, sleep well.
  • Don't let the bedbugs bite! (Playful, traditional response)

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After someone says I'm gonna hit the sack/hay:

  • Saying goodnight.
  • Asking if they need anything before bed.
  • Turning off shared lights or TV.
  • Finishing up their own activities quietly.

After responding (Okay, good night):

  • The person going to bed might say Good night back.
  • They will then proceed to go to their bedroom or sleeping area.

Conversation Starter

  • No.
  • Signals the end of conversation or activity for the speaker for the night.

Intonation

  • Emphasis typically falls on sack or hay. Hit the SACK/HAY.
  • Usually said with a tone suggesting tiredness or finality for the day.

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood by all generations.
  • Hit the hay might sound slightly more old-fashioned to younger generations than hit the sack, but both are common.

Regional Variations

  • Both are common in American English.
  • Hit the sack is also common in the UK, Australia, etc.
  • Hit the hay is perhaps slightly more associated with American English but understood elsewhere.
Hit the road
🎲 Hold your tongue