grab some sleep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grab some sleep" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to emphasize the need for rest and typically used when it is late in the evening (e.g. "It's getting late, I think I'd better grab some sleep").

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The name is a touch overloaded, but you could say the same of Dormer, who spends the whole movie trying, unsuccessfully, to grab some sleep.

The New Yorker

Another sets up a thermometer in his meat that will set off an alarm if it goes below a certain temperature, allowing him to grab some sleep during the 10 hours or so of overnight cooking.

The New York Times

Van der Werf would toil in a maze of pipes, hissing pressure gauges and churning crank shafts to keep temperamental engines humming, before emerging, caked in oil, to grab some sleep before the next eight-hour shift.

The Guardian

Some thought among aides has been going into when he will grab some sleep, as he will need to ensure he is fresh for any negotiations that will start as soon as possible on Friday, in the event of a deadlock.

The Guardian

He took with him his beloved Mookie poster but left the leather couch where industrious aides would sometimes grab some sleep, the volumes of the New York City Charter on the bookshelf, an aging television with a slot for a VHS tape, and the old desk behind a partition — it belonged to a particularly messy employee who was required to hide her desk.

The New York Times

Grab some sleep!

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

On election night, Heath grabbed some sleep at his flat near the Commons.

The Guardian - Opinion

According to the Press Assocation, he has been "grabbing some sleep in the back of the bus" between visits.

The Guardian

Working on an intensive care unit overnight, heading to the airport at the end of the shift, grabbing some sleep on the plane, and then arriving the next day in a meeting room in Houston, where people were sitting around talking about how to send people safely to Mars.

The Guardian

At her invitation, they sleep together — that is, grab some actual sleep — on deck, an arrangement that makes him squirm.

The New Yorker

His colleagues might be going home to relax in front of the television or grab some well-earned sleep, but Schofield dons his red pants and cape and heads out to carry on his life-saving in nearby Flint.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grab some sleep" when you want to emphasize the need for rest, especially when time is limited or the opportunity is fleeting. It's more casual than saying "get some sleep".

Common error

Avoid using "grab some sleep" in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "get some rest" or "rest" when writing reports or communicating professionally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grab some sleep" functions as an idiomatic expression, with 'grab' acting as a verb indicating the action of quickly obtaining something, and 'sleep' being the object of that action. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grab some sleep" is a grammatically sound and common idiomatic phrase that means to quickly or opportunistically get some rest. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and typical usage. It's most appropriate in informal settings like conversations or casual writing, and less so in formal or academic contexts. Alternatives like "get some sleep" or "catch some sleep" can be used in more formal scenarios. Remember to use it when emphasizing the need for rest within a limited timeframe.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get some sleep

A more general and straightforward way to express the need for sleep.

catch some sleep

Implies finding an opportunity to sleep, often when time is limited.

snatch some sleep

Suggests quickly and opportunistically finding time to sleep.

steal some sleep

Similar to snatch, but emphasizes the guilt or need to take sleep from other activities.

get a wink of sleep

Refers to a very short period of sleep.

take a nap

A deliberate decision to sleep for a short period.

rest for a while

A broader term that includes resting without necessarily sleeping.

turn in for the night

Indicates going to bed for the entire night.

retire for the evening

A more formal way of saying going to bed.

hit the hay

An informal and idiomatic way of saying going to bed.

FAQs

What does "grab some sleep" mean?

The phrase "grab some sleep" means to quickly or opportunistically get some rest, typically when one is busy or short on time. It implies a need to seize the chance to sleep whenever possible.

When is it appropriate to use "grab some sleep"?

It's appropriate to use "grab some sleep" in informal settings when speaking to friends or family, or in casual writing. It's generally not suitable for formal contexts.

What can I say instead of "grab some sleep"?

You can use alternatives like "get some sleep", "catch some sleep", or "snatch some sleep" depending on the context.

Is "grab some sleep" grammatically correct?

Yes, "grab some sleep" is grammatically correct and idiomatic. It follows standard English grammar rules for forming a verb phrase with an object.