Are you tired of always saying “I’m tired”? English offers many fun and interesting tired idioms that can help you express how exhausted or sleepy you feel in different ways.
In this article, we will explore 50 tired idioms that will not only expand your vocabulary but also help you sound more like a native speaker.
Whether you’re looking for expressions for tired after a long day at work or unique idioms for tired that add color to your conversations, we’ve got you covered.
Keep reading for easy-to-understand meanings and real-life examples of these common tired expressions.
50 Popular Tired Idioms Every English Learner Should Know
1. Dog-tired
Meaning: Very tired
Example: I was dog-tired after working all day.
2. Worn out
Meaning: Very tired or exhausted
Example: She looked worn out after running the marathon.
3. Beat
Meaning: Extremely tired
Example: I’m beat from cleaning the house all day.
4. Dead tired
Meaning: Extremely tired
Example: After the trip, we were all dead tired.
5. Ready to drop
Meaning: So tired that you feel you might fall
Example: I’m ready to drop after working all night.
6. Burned out
Meaning: Very tired and stressed
Example: He felt burned out after months of hard work.
7. Bushed
Meaning: Very tired
Example: I was bushed after hiking for hours.
8. Drained
Meaning: Very tired and with no energy
Example: She felt drained after the long exam.
9. Exhausted
Meaning: Very, very tired
Example: We were completely exhausted after the party.
10. Pooped
Meaning: Tired, no energy
Example: I’m pooped from helping with the move.
For different idioms, take a look at this article: Discover 35 Laugh Idioms.
11. Run-down
Meaning: Feeling weak and tired
Example: He felt run-down after being sick.
12. Dead on your feet
Meaning: Extremely tired but still standing
Example: She was dead on her feet after the concert.
13. Bone-tired
Meaning: Tired deep in your body
Example: I’m bone-tired from working two jobs.
14. Spent
Meaning: Used all your energy
Example: I’m completely spent after the workout.
15. Sleepyhead
Meaning: A person who is always tired or sleepy
Example: Wake up, sleepyhead! It’s already 10 a.m.
16. Ready to crash
Meaning: Ready to go to bed because you’re tired
Example: I’m ready to crash after this movie.
17. Fatigued
Meaning: Very tired, often used formally
Example: The driver was fatigued after the long journey.
18. Out like a light
Meaning: Fall asleep very quickly
Example: I was out like a light as soon as I lay down.
19. Tuckered out
Meaning: Very tired, often used with children
Example: The kids were tuckered out after playing all day.
20. Wiped out
Meaning: Completely tired
Example: I’m wiped out after studying all night.
For different idioms, take a look at this article: 35 Mountain Idioms.
21. Drowsy
Meaning: Feeling sleepy
Example: I feel drowsy after lunch.
22. Weary
Meaning: Tired and slow
Example: He gave a weary smile after the long talk.
23. Half asleep
Meaning: Almost sleeping
Example: I was half asleep during the meeting.
24. Nodding off
Meaning: Falling asleep while sitting
Example: She kept nodding off during the movie.
25. Ready to hit the sack
Meaning: Ready to go to bed
Example: I’m ready to hit the sack—it’s been a long day.
26. Knocked out
Meaning: Very tired or asleep
Example: He was knocked out after the long flight.
27. Out of steam
Meaning: No more energy
Example: I ran out of steam near the end of the race.
28. Sluggish
Meaning: Moving slowly because you’re tired
Example: I’m feeling sluggish this morning.
29. In need of a nap
Meaning: Feeling tired and wanting to sleep
Example: I’m in need of a nap right now.
30. Can’t keep my eyes open
Meaning: Very sleepy
Example: I can’t keep my eyes open during this movie.
For different idioms, take a look at this article: Happy Idioms for Everyday English.
31. Wiped
Meaning: Totally tired
Example: I’m completely wiped after work.
32. Droopy
Meaning: Eyes or face looking tired
Example: Your eyes look droopy, are you okay?
33. Dragging
Meaning: Moving slowly from tiredness
Example: I was dragging my feet at work today.
34. Dying for sleep
Meaning: Really needing to sleep
Example: I’m dying for sleep after last night.
35. Barely awake
Meaning: Almost sleeping
Example: She was barely awake in the class.
36. Out cold
Meaning: Deeply asleep
Example: He was out cold in seconds.
37. Running on empty
Meaning: Tired, no energy left
Example: I’m running on empty after staying up all night.
38. Dozing off
Meaning: Slowly falling asleep
Example: I kept dozing off during the lecture.
39. Spaced out
Meaning: Not focused because you’re tired
Example: He spaced out during the meeting.
40. Zoned out
Meaning: Not paying attention due to tiredness
Example: I totally zoned out during the movie.
For different idioms, take a look at this article: 50 Popular Beach Idioms.
41. Not all there
Meaning: Mentally tired
Example: Sorry, I’m not all there right now—I need sleep.
42. Nackered (British English)
Meaning: Very tired
Example: I’m nackered after my shift.
43. Feeling heavy-eyed
Meaning: Eyes feel sleepy
Example: I’m feeling heavy-eyed, time for bed.
44. Knocked for six (British idiom)
Meaning: Very tired or surprised
Example: That news knocked me for six, I need a rest.
45. Flat out
Meaning: Extremely tired or busy
Example: I’ve been working flat out all day.
For different idioms, take a look at this article: 50 Must-Know Old Idioms with Meaning.
46. Just want to curl up
Meaning: Want to rest or sleep
Example: I just want to curl up and sleep.
47. Can barely stand
Meaning: Very tired
Example: I’m so tired, I can barely stand.
48. All in (British English)
Meaning: Very tired
Example: After the match, he was all in.
49. Out of it
Meaning: Confused or sleepy
Example: She was out of it after the flight.
50. Not feeling 100%
Meaning: Tired or slightly sick
Example: I’m not feeling 100% today, maybe I need rest.
Continue your idiom journey with this article: 100 Tasty Food Idioms with Meanings.
Exercises to Practice Tired Idioms
Exercise 1: Match the Idiom to Its Meaning
Match the tired idiom in Column A with the correct meaning in Column B.
Column A (Idioms)
- Dog-tired
- Ready to hit the sack
- Nodding off
- All in
- Wiped out
Column B (Meanings)
A. Starting to fall asleep while sitting
B. Very, very tired
C. Completely tired and want to sleep
D. So tired you can’t do anything more
E. Wanting to go to bed
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences using the correct idiom from the box below. You may need to change the form (past/present).
Idiom Box:
- out like a light
- dead on my feet
- pooped
- running on empty
- sleepyhead
- After studying all night, I was __________________ during class.
- She was so tired, she was __________________ in just two minutes.
- My little brother is such a __________________ in the morning!
- I worked 10 hours today—I’m totally __________________.
- I’ve been __________________ since 6 a.m. I need coffee!
Exercise 3: Choose the Best Idiom
Pick the best idiom that fits the sentence.
- After walking all day at the zoo, the kids were:
A. wide awake
B. tuckered out
C. all ears - You stayed up all night? You must be:
A. full of beans
B. running on empty
C. over the moon - I had a big lunch and now I feel:
A. drowsy
B. excited
C. active - I couldn’t stay awake in the movie. I kept:
A. jumping for joy
B. nodding off
C. getting pumped - After that long trip, I was:
A. ready to crash
B. fresh as a daisy
C. buzzing with energy
Continue your idiom journey with this article: 80 Money Idioms Explained.
Answers to Exercises for Practicing Tired Idioms
Exercise 1:
1 → B (Dog-tired = Very, very tired)
2 → E (Ready to hit the sack = Wanting to go to bed)
3 → A (Nodding off = Starting to fall asleep while sitting)
4 → D (All in = So tired you can’t do anything more)
5 → C (Wiped out = Completely tired and want to sleep)
Exercise 2:
6. dead on my feet
7. out like a light
8. sleepyhead
9. pooped
10. running on empty
Exercise 3:
11. B. tuckered out
12. B. running on empty
13. A. drowsy
14. B. nodding off
15. A. ready to crash
Conclusion
By now, you’ve learned 50 tired idioms that can help you express your exhaustion in a variety of fun and creative ways.
Next time you feel drained or sleepy, instead of simply saying “I’m tired,” try using one of these expressions for tired to make your conversation more lively.
These tired idioms not only make your speech sound more natural, but they also add character to your English.
Keep practicing these idioms and you’ll be using them effortlessly in no time!
Continue your idiom journey with this article: 50 Essential Tree Idioms.
