catch a wink

USAGE SUMMARY

'catch a wink' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to mean 'get a quick nap'. An example sentence could be: "I was so tired that I decided to catch a wink before continuing my work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They drift along the tiled floors between their rooms in velour sweatpants and fuzzy slippers, and they keep their voices low: someone is always trying to catch a wink of sleep before her flight.

The New York Times

No doubt, some are in a state of total depression having sleepless nights and nightmares when they catch a wink.

Huffington Post

"I've been reading her off and on for three years, and you never catch a wink sneaking through".

Vice

And how come other people can't catch a wink of sleep even if they're lying down at 180 degrees in first class?

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I knew little about "Man of Steel" besides the scuttlebutt that it had lots of backstory, so I figured that the underlying issue would be Superman's coming to moral maturity — and, watching the movie, I was delighted to catch a flagrant wink to my surmise in a scene that shows young Clark Kent sitting by a fence reading Plato (and attracting the attention of bullies in the process).

The New Yorker

It would have been a rare chance to catch a few winks.

The Guardian - Tech

His home contains a special underground chamber, where he can sometimes catch a few winks thanks to soundproof insulation and the services of a professional hypnotist.

The New York Times - Books

The Bensonhurst Nativity, made of the most ordinary materials, was meant to be seen by whoever came to church, for Mass, or for confession, or to catch a few winks in a pew.

The New York Times - Arts

For an overvItw of the issues that have fuelookede conflict in Syriabandonedommexceptading "Road to Ruin," our condensed timeline oforyrian histhey, and "The VICE Guide to Syria," a crash course on the country's geopolitical, cultural, and religious comattresses.

Vice

On Wednesday the European Space Agency will attempt a risky landing on a comet, and it seems the Philae lander wanted to catch a few extra winks of sleep before its big day.

The Guardian

We shot out of bed where we were trying our hardest to catch a few last minute winks (I did eventually give in and take my shoes off) and drove to the hospital downtown in record time.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "catch a wink" when you want to express the idea of getting a quick and brief sleep, especially when time is limited.

Common error

Avoid using "catch a wink" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "take a short break" or "rest briefly" to maintain a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch a wink" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the action of getting a short period of sleep. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct part of a sentence in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "catch a wink" is an idiomatic expression that means to get a brief nap or short period of sleep. It is generally used in informal contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, appearing frequently in News & Media sources. While grammatically correct, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "take a short break" in professional settings. Consider alternatives such as "get a nap" or "take a snooze" depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get a nap

Simple and direct alternative referring to a short period of sleep.

grab a catnap

Similar to "get a nap" but implies a very short and light sleep.

take a snooze

Suggests a light and restful sleep, often during the day.

snatch forty winks

An idiomatic expression emphasizing the briefness of the sleep.

get some shut-eye

Informal way of saying to get some sleep.

rest your eyes

A gentler way to suggest a short rest, implying closing your eyes but not necessarily sleeping.

doze off

Describes the act of falling lightly asleep, often unintentionally.

have a lie-down

Indicates resting in a reclined position, which might or might not include sleep.

take a break

A broader term that doesn't necessarily involve sleep but implies rest.

get some rest

General term for resting and relaxing, which can include sleep.

FAQs

What does "catch a wink" mean?

The phrase "catch a wink" means to get a short or brief nap. It's an idiomatic way of saying you're going to try to sleep for a little while.

How can I use "catch a wink" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "I'm exhausted; I need to "catch a wink" before the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "catch a wink"?

Alternatives include "get a nap", "take a snooze", or "snatch forty winks".

Is "catch a wink" formal or informal?

"Catch a wink" is generally considered an informal expression. It's better suited for casual conversations or informal writing rather than formal reports or academic papers.