catch a wink of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catch a wink of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express the act of getting a small amount of sleep or rest, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "After a long day at work, I just need to catch a wink of sleep before my night shift starts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 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

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

58 human-written examples

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

Huffington Post

I didn't get a wink of sleep".

The Guardian

"I couldn't get a wink of sleep.

The New Yorker

When I sat down in the chair, which reclines all the way back if you need to catch a few winks, it was almost like the start of a therapy session.

HuffPost

Though you may not think so as you hit the snooze alarm to catch a few more winks of morning sleep, it would pay to get up 15 minutes earlier to make time for a nutritious breakfast.

The New York Times - Science

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

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

In light of the potential benefits to productivity and performance, you may want to encourage your employees to catch a few winks during the day.

Harvard Business Review

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

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "catch a wink of" when you want to convey a brief and often opportunistic moment of sleep, especially in situations where longer rest is not possible.

Common error

Avoid using "catch a wink of" to describe a long or planned sleep. This phrase implies a short, often unexpected, moment of rest. Use "get a full night's sleep" for longer sleep periods.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch a wink of" functions as an idiomatic expression describing a brief attempt to sleep or rest, often implying that the sleep is short and perhaps snatched amidst other activities. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "catch a wink of" is an idiomatic expression meaning to get a small amount of sleep. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. While the phrase is not very common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Remember that "catch a wink of" implies a brief and often opportunistic rest, not a long or planned sleep. Consider alternatives like "get a bit of shut-eye" or "take a short nap" if you need a more direct or formal way to express the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Get a bit of shut-eye

Replaces "catch a wink of" with a more informal idiom for getting some sleep.

Take a short nap

Substitutes the idiomatic expression with a more direct and literal description of sleeping briefly.

Grab a quick snooze

Similar to "take a short nap" but uses the word "snooze" which implies a light sleep.

Get a little rest

Broadens the scope to include any form of rest, not just sleep.

Steal a moment of sleep

Emphasizes the brevity and perhaps the illicit nature of the sleep.

Get a snatch of sleep

Uses "snatch" to convey the idea of quickly obtaining a short period of sleep.

Have a brief respite

Focuses on the break or relief provided by the rest, rather than the sleep itself.

Take five minutes to rest

More precise about the duration of the rest period.

Doze off for a moment

Focuses on the action of falling asleep briefly.

Rest one's eyes briefly

Emphasizes the rest for the eyes, implying a short break without necessarily falling deeply asleep.

FAQs

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

You can use "catch a wink of" to describe getting a small amount of sleep. For example, "After a long day at work, I just need to catch a wink of sleep before my night shift starts."

What can I say instead of "catch a wink of"?

You can use alternatives like "get a bit of shut-eye", "take a short nap", or "grab a quick snooze" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "catch a wink of sleep" or "get some sleep"?

"Catch a wink of sleep" implies a short, often unplanned rest. "Get some sleep" is more general and doesn't specify the duration or circumstances. The best choice depends on the context you're trying to convey.

What's the difference between "catch a wink of" and "catch 40 winks"?

"Catch a wink of" refers to a very brief period of sleep. "Catch 40 winks" typically refers to a nap or a short sleep, longer than just a moment but not necessarily a full night's rest.