hit the sack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hit the sack" can be used in written English, and means to go to bed.
For example, "I'm feeling tired, so I'm going to hit the sack."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Time to brush my teeth, watch an episode of "Law & Order: SVU," and hit the sack.

The New Yorker

But the data make one thing clear: he ought to hit the sack a bit earlier.

The Economist

We hit the sack early, because 5 o'clock happens pretty quickly.

The New York Times

With such a complicated shuttling from boat to house, we rarely hit the sack before midnight.

The New York Times

For my designs I have two ranges, one called Learn to Sleep and the other called Hit the Sack.

The Guardian

"You feel amazing, like you could hit the sack and have the greatest slumber you've ever had," Wegman said.

The New Yorker

It includes charts, health-tracking features and, crucially, daily reminders of when you should hit the sack.

The Guardian - Tech

The kids have all hit the sack, knocked out by a combination of sea air and hot tub.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Wary of warden number two's educational proclivities, you may find yourself hitting the sack before twelve.

The New Yorker

It's also slightly narcoleptic for my tastes, hitting the sack if you leave it alone for 15 minutes.

The Guardian - Tech

And since it's all about hitting the sack, "How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?" makes a perfect bedtime book for the Brontosaurus-entranced child.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hit the sack" when you want to convey going to bed in an informal, relatable way. It's perfect for casual conversations and narratives where a relaxed tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "hit the sack" in professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "go to bed" or "retire for the night" to maintain a suitable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hit the sack" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase, serving as an informal substitute for the more literal "go to bed". Ludwig AI confirms its idiomatic usage, and examples show it replacing the verb go to bed in different narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "hit the sack" is a common and informal way to say "go to bed". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and primarily used in casual contexts. While it's highly prevalent in news and media sources, especially in lifestyle and entertainment sections, it's less suited for formal or professional writing. Alternatives like "go to bed" or "retire for the night" are more appropriate in such settings. The phrase's origin comes from the historical practice of using straw-filled sacks as mattresses. Therefore, reserve "hit the sack" for instances where a relaxed and relatable tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit the hay

An older, folksy idiom with the same meaning.

go to bed

A more literal and straightforward alternative.

go to sleep

Focuses on the action of falling asleep rather than the physical act of going to bed.

get some shut-eye

Focuses on the act of sleeping or resting one's eyes.

turn in

A slightly more formal idiom for going to bed.

turn in for the night

Indicates ending the day and going to bed.

retire for the night

More formal and often used in literature or older texts.

be off to bed

Expresses intention of going to bed.

crawl into bed

Emphasizes the act of getting into bed, often implying tiredness.

go night-night

A childish or playful way of saying goodnight and going to bed.

FAQs

What does "hit the sack" mean?

The phrase "hit the sack" is an idiom that means to go to bed or go to sleep. It's an informal way to say you're going to bed.

What can I say instead of "hit the sack"?

You can use alternatives like "go to bed", "go to sleep", or "turn in" depending on the context.

Is "hit the sack" formal or informal?

"Hit the sack" is an informal expression. It is best suited for casual conversations and should be avoided in professional or academic writing.

Where does the phrase "hit the sack" come from?

The idiom "hit the sack" originates from the time when mattresses were commonly stuffed with straw or other materials contained in a sack. "Hitting the sack" meant preparing to sleep on such a mattress.