Feeling sleepy is something we all experience, especially after a long day.
In English, there are many fun and common idioms for sleepy that help you express this feeling naturally.
In this short guide, you will learn easy idioms for feeling sleepy, sleepy eyes, and good night phrases that English speakers use every day.
Common Idioms for Feeling Sleepy

When you feel sleepy, English has many common idioms to describe this feeling in a natural way.
These idioms for feeling sleepy are often used in daily conversations, especially at night or after a long day.
| Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Half asleep | Almost sleeping | I’m half asleep during the movie. |
| Can’t keep my eyes open | Very sleepy | I can’t keep my eyes open anymore. |
| Ready to drop | Extremely sleepy | I’m ready to drop after work. |
| Feeling drowsy | Starting to feel sleepy | I feel drowsy after lunch. |
| About to nod off | Almost asleep | I’m about to nod off on the sofa. |
| Dead on my feet | Very tired and sleepy | I’m dead on my feet tonight. |
| Sleep is calling | Feeling the need to sleep | It’s late—sleep is calling. |

If you want to learn more simple ways to talk about tiredness, read our guide on Tired Expressions in English.
Idioms for Sleepy Eyes and Heavy Sleep
Sometimes, sleepiness shows in your eyes, or you sleep very deeply.
These idioms for sleepy eyes and idioms about heavy sleep help you describe these situations in easy English.
| Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Sleepy-eyed | Having tired, sleepy eyes | I woke up sleepy-eyed this morning. |
| Eyes are heavy | Eyes feel tired and ready to close | My eyes are heavy after studying. |
| Out like a light | Fell asleep very quickly | I was out like a light last night. |
| Sleep like a log | Sleep very deeply | I sleep like a log after long trips. |
| Fast asleep | Sleeping very deeply | The baby is fast asleep. |
| In a deep sleep | Sleeping very well | He is in a deep sleep now. |
| Could sleep for days | Very sleepy, needs lots of sleep | I’m so tired—I could sleep for days. |

To learn more useful idioms about tiredness, check out 50 Tired Idioms.
Good Night Idioms and Phrases About Sleep
Before sleeping, English speakers often use simple idioms and phrases to say good night or talk about sleep and dreams.
These good night idioms and phrases are common and easy to use in daily life.
| Idiom / Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep tight | Sleep well | Good night! Sleep tight. |
| Sweet dreams | Wish for nice dreams | Sweet dreams! See you tomorrow. |
| Call it a night | Decide to go to sleep | It’s late. Let’s call it a night. |
| Hit the hay | Go to bed | I’m tired. I’ll hit the hay. |
| Catch some Z’s | Get some sleep | I need to catch some Z’s. |
| Drift off | Fall asleep slowly | I drifted off during the movie. |
| Lost in a dream | Dreaming deeply | She was lost in a dream. |
Learning idioms for sleepy makes your English sound more natural and friendly.
These expressions help you talk about tiredness, heavy sleep, and bedtime in simple ways.
Try to use these idioms in your daily conversations, messages, or practice sentences, and you will feel more confident when talking about sleep in English.

