get forty winks

USAGE SUMMARY

"get forty winks" is a correct and commonly used expression in written English.
It is used to mean to take a short nap or rest. You can use it in informal or casual writing, such as in a personal email, text message, or blog post. Example: I was feeling exhausted after a long day at work, so I decided to head home and get forty winks before starting my evening chores.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Getting forty winks is a crucial part of staying happy.

BBC

This book explores everything to do with sleep: the dangers of not sleeping, the meaning of dreams, how technology destroys our sleep, and how getting forty winks can lead to true success.

Huffington Post

Negative, distorted thoughts and beliefs about insomnia such as "I must get eight hours of sleep" or "I did not sleep a wink last night". Going to bed too early or sleeping too late and spending excessive time in bed.

HuffPost

Each player gets one shot per turn, unless they pot a wink of their own color, in which case they get an extra shot.

WikiHow

But does this mean we are finally taking care of our students' sleep, or is it an indication that students are now so chronically sleep deprived that universities are having to provide for those who cannot get through the day without forty winks?

The Guardian

"Got you a extra blanket I'll roll up out here and grab forty winks, ride out at first light".

The New Yorker

Forty winks at a time.

The New York Times

IAN PARKER: forty to one on forty winks.

The New Yorker

Forty winks later, he awoke uneasily.

Science Magazine

First up was Forty Winks.

Vice

And sometimes we get wacky winks (Katy Perry and those sharks in 2015).

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get forty winks" in informal contexts to add a touch of whimsy to your writing. It's a lighthearted way to suggest a brief rest or nap.

Common error

Avoid using "get forty winks" in formal or professional documents. While it's a perfectly acceptable idiom, it's more suited for casual conversations and informal writing.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "get forty winks" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It denotes the act of taking a short nap or rest. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a recognized expression in English.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get forty winks" is a grammatically sound and widely understood idiom that means to take a short nap. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. It's most fitting for informal communication. While the phrase itself is common, it's advisable to choose clearer and more formal language in professional contexts. Alternatives such as "take a nap" or "rest your eyes" may be more suitable for formal use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a nap

This is a more straightforward and common way to express the same idea.

catch some z's

This phrase uses a different idiom to mean sleeping or napping.

grab a snooze

This suggests a short, informal nap.

get some shut-eye

This is another idiomatic expression for sleeping.

catnap

This refers to a short, light sleep.

rest your eyes

This implies a brief period of rest, often with closed eyes.

doze off

This means to fall lightly asleep.

take a siesta

This refers to an afternoon nap, particularly in warmer climates.

have a lie-down

This phrase means to lie down for a short period, usually to rest.

take a break

This is a broader term that includes resting, but not necessarily sleeping.

FAQs

How can I use "get forty winks" in a sentence?

You can use "get forty winks" to describe taking a short nap. For example, "I'm going to get forty winks before we go out".

What does "get forty winks" mean?

"Get forty winks" is an idiom that means to take a short nap or rest.

What are some alternatives to "get forty winks"?

Some alternatives include "take a nap", "catch some z's", or "grab a snooze".

Is it appropriate to use "get forty winks" in formal writing?

It's generally better to avoid using "get forty winks" in formal writing. Use more direct and professional language, such as "take a short rest" or "take a nap".