make up for lost sleep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make up for lost sleep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of compensating for sleep that was missed or not obtained. Example: "After a long week of late nights, I plan to make up for lost sleep this weekend by sleeping in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

People make up for lost sleep on the weekend, and the sleep may be very long.

The New York Times - Science

Taking naps to make up for lost sleep at night can make insomnia worse, Dr. Norwood said.

The New York Times - Health

Their study, published in the journal Science, showed even intense training could not make up for lost sleep.

BBC

According to CNN, even trying to make up for lost sleep by cramming in extra hours the next day doesn't help the brain recover.

Science Magazine

She sleeps a lot on the plane to make up for lost sleep, and goes for long walks or does yoga to recuperate after a lengthy trip.

BBC

Don't attempt to make up for lost sleep during the week by sleeping in all weekend.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Definitions of parental exhaustion vary between extreme fatigue caused by several sleepless nights, which can be remedied by making up for lost sleep, and exhaustion characterised by the fact that it persists even when there is full compensation for the lack of sleep [ 17].

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

To make up for lost savings, Emma picked up part-time work in the evenings, sometimes sleeping only two hours a night.

The New Yorker

If you sleep through your morning classes, you'll be running around trying to make up for lost time.

Vice

"We make up for lost time".

The New York Times

Did you feel motivated to make up for lost time?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make up for lost sleep", ensure it's clear what caused the sleep loss and when the compensation is occurring. Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

Don't assume you can fully "make up for lost sleep" after chronic deprivation. While extra rest can help, it doesn't completely reverse the negative effects of consistent sleep loss.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make up for lost sleep" functions as a phrasal verb. It describes the action of compensating for a deficit in sleep, aiming to restore a more rested state. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make up for lost sleep" is a phrasal verb used to describe compensating for sleep deprivation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While generally neutral, its register leans towards informal. Remember that while catching up on sleep can be beneficial, it may not fully reverse the effects of chronic sleep loss. Alternative phrases include ""catch up on sleep"" and "recover from sleep deprivation".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catch up on sleep

A more casual way of saying "make up for lost sleep".

recover from sleep deprivation

Focuses on the recovery aspect of the sleep deficit.

compensate for lack of sleep

Highlights the act of compensating for the absence of sleep.

recuperate sleep debt

A more formal way to refer to recovering from sleep deprivation.

eliminate sleep debt

Focuses on eliminating the cumulative effect of insufficient sleep.

remedy sleep deficit

Focuses on the remedy or solution to sleep deprivation.

overcome sleep deficiency

Focuses on overcoming the state of not having enough sleep.

get additional sleep

Highlights obtaining extra sleep to compensate.

sleep in to recover

Emphasizes the act of sleeping in as a recovery method.

replenish sleep reserves

Presents sleep as a resource that can be replenished.

FAQs

How can I use "make up for lost sleep" in a sentence?

You can use "make up for lost sleep" to describe the act of compensating for a lack of sleep. For example, "After working overtime all week, I plan to "make up for lost sleep" this weekend".

What's a more casual way to say "make up for lost sleep"?

A more casual way to say "make up for lost sleep" is to "catch up on sleep".

Is it possible to fully "make up for lost sleep" after several days of sleep deprivation?

While you can "make up for lost sleep" to some extent, chronic sleep deprivation can have lasting effects that aren't completely reversed by a few extra hours of rest.

What's the difference between "make up for lost sleep" and "recover from sleep deprivation"?

"Make up for lost sleep" is a more general term, while "recover from sleep deprivation" specifically emphasizes the process of returning to a normal state after being sleep-deprived.